plus500  Оffice  Sofia                                              Теам: arch. Yuri Tanov, arch. Monika Marinova, arch. Zdravka Nistorova and arch. Martin Ryashev                                           photo: Minko Minev                                           video: shortSHOTS
 

A space that puts people and nature at the centre

In one of Sofia’s most dynamic business districts, inside a Class A building with panoramic views of Vitosha Mountain, our studio have created a next-generation office for international trading company Plus500. Having area of 2,000 sq.m as a base, we transformed the conventional corporate interior into a living organism that actively supports employees’ wellbeing, creativity and physical health. Plus500, a company focused on attracting and retaining young talents, sought precisely after this kind of environment - vibrant, contemporary and aligned with the best global practices. We accepted the challenge by shaping the social hubs around the three existing terraces with city and mountain views, turning them into the emotional and social heart of the entire office. Instead of treating the Vitosha panorama as mere background, we integrated the view as an active design element – social, collaborative and recreational zones form around and open directly onto fresh air and natural light.  

The layout follows the internal structure of the company. Work areas are calm, relaxing and neat - light color palette, generous daylight, acoustic wall and ceiling panels and fully ergonomic height-adjustable workstations. Open-plan spaces are enriched with a great amount of planting that creates a sense of spaciousness and comfort. Quiet and sensitive rooms, on the other hand, are acoustically isolated for complete concentration. Meeting rooms and phone booths gain individual character through combinations of recycled textile felt, timber panelling and various textures. Each space is different and recognisable, yet remains part of a cohesive aesthetic.
The heart of the office is undeniably the large common area – a multifunctional entertainment room designed to accommodate the entire team. It offers various settings from café and theatrical style seating to bar tables and lounge sofas complimented by exposed concrete walls behind decorative metal frames with generous planting. Three high-end coffee machines and beer tap turn the space into an urban café rather than a corporate cantina. The zone is designed to function both as a single event space and as small separate zones for informal conversations.
The term ‘active rest’ is elevated to a whole new concept. The sports and entertainment area includes an 85-inch screen with PlayStation, wooden football table, party audio corner with headphones, yoga zone, and suspended gymnastic rings and monkey bars that allow employees to move across the space. These elements continue into other parts of the office, constantly encouraging physical activity. Ergonomics extend far beyond the desk – the entire interior stimulates movement, posture change and environmental variety throughout the working day.

Biophilic design is fundamental. Plants frame individual zones in various ways and shapes – in planters, ‘climbing’ green walls and as individual accents on shelves and libraries. Direct contact with greenery improves microclimate, reduces stress and elevates mood. The reception, as the company’s identity, is not merely a beautiful façade. It continues the overall philosophy to prioritise collaboration and social interaction, to maximize ergonomics in work zones and to keep a constant connection with nature. The blue logo of Plus500 stands out against a neutral background, while in the main Meeting room lights the warm timber panelling and refined feature lighting.
Materials were selected with special attention to sustainability. Large quantities of recycled textile felt panels, natural wooden parquet and wall panelling and furniture from suppliers with responsible production practices create a warm, tactile environment. Exposed concrete elements and carefully integrated ceiling installations add an industrial character that contrasts elegantly with the soft wood and textile surfaces. Acoustic ceiling solutions and custom lighting – from ‘cross-shaped’ LED fixtures, inspired by the company logo, to suspended sound-absorbing panels, shape a dynamic yet functional atmosphere that both absorbs sound and defines spatial character.

Representational key areas are treated with discreet luxury by using wooden accents, solid parquet, refined designer furniture, soft tones and direct access to the social zones. Training rooms and quiet lounge areas offer flexibility to accommodate both formal presentations or spontaneous brainstorming sessions. Every part of the office is logically connected from open-plan workspaces through collaborative niches to active rest area and the terraces. Employees have effortless access to everything they need without losing time to wander around.

For our studio, this project was a genuine delight. The dedication and personal involvement of Plus500’s management allowed every idea to easily come to life. Although the company moved from a recently renovated Class A office, their new home was perceived extremely positive. Employees are impressed by the new space and come to work with real enjoyment – the highest possible praise for any workplace interior project.
The Plus500 Office in Sofia is not simply a place to work. This is a spot where a culture of communication, collaboration, and care for individuals is cultivated. A space that proves a modern workplace can be productive, healthy, and inspiring—all at once—and that connection with nature and with each other is the ultimate driver of success.