In New Cairo, Egypt, Klivvr’s new headquarters offers a fresh approach to workplace design. The project reflects a balance between architectural clarity and technical precision. Designed by The Kitchen and executed by Kilany, it challenges traditional corporate layouts. A “hub” concept drives the space, encouraging movement, openness, and visual flow.
A Blueprint for Flow
At the core of the design lies a dynamic Y-shaped circulation spine that operates as the office’s nervous system. This radial layout intuitively guides movement—channeling activity toward collaborative zones while preserving quieter areas for focused work. Anchoring this geometry is a bold architectural gesture: a “K” that serves as both a branding device and a spatial compass, orienting users throughout the space.
Transparency plays a key role in reinforcing the sense of openness. Floor-to-ceiling glass partitions define the meeting rooms, known as “Whisper” rooms. These transparent boundaries allow natural light to spread across the entire floor plate. At the same time, they maintain the acoustic privacy needed for focused work.
The Beauty of the Unfinished
A defining characteristic of the project is its embrace of exposed infrastructure. Rather than concealing the building’s systems, the ceiling reveals its full anatomy—fire suppression pipes, HVAC ducts, and raw concrete slabs—celebrated as integral elements of the design language.
Kilany’s execution is particularly evident in the treatment of these systems. Painted in a vivid red, the exposed piping introduces a rhythmic, graphic layer overhead, transforming utilitarian components into a striking visual feature. This deliberate “rawness” is carefully balanced by refined finishes at eye level, creating a dialogue between industrial honesty and crafted precision.
A Sophisticated Palette
The project’s color strategy is rooted in contrast and control. A restrained base of cool greys, whites, and charcoal establishes a calm and focused working environment, while more expressive tones animate key social and functional areas.
In the kitchen and break area, a deep terracotta wall grounds the space, complemented by light wood shelving and speckled terrazzo flooring that evokes a subtle mid-century sensibility. The restrooms, by contrast, embrace a more energetic identity, with vibrant burnt-orange partitions introducing an unexpected burst of color.
To temper the coolness of glass and concrete, honey-toned oak is integrated throughout desks and flooring, infusing the workspace with a warm, almost residential quality that softens the overall atmosphere.
Texture and Tactility
Materiality plays a central role in shaping the user experience. Within the hub, low, fabric beanbags offer a relaxed, tactile setting for informal interaction, encouraging moments of pause and exchange. In contrast, the workstations adopt a more streamlined language, with matte surfaces and ergonomic mesh seating supporting productivity and focus.
By merging industrial clarity with contemporary refinement, Klivvr’s New Cairo office transcends the notion of a traditional workplace. It operates simultaneously as a high-performance environment and a welcoming, human-centered space—capturing the evolving identity of Egypt’s modern professional landscape.
Photography by Egyptian architectural and documentary photographers Georges & Samuel (The GS Studio)
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