On the 7th of June, we went to Vakko Headquarters at Nakkaştepe. The building was awarded with Wallpaper’s 2011Award for the Best Work Space on the world. Our purpose was to show them our presentation on gender inequality and violence against women. When we finally got there, we decided to give them the presentation instead and rather see this most astounding structure/art.
Looking from the outside, it just looked like a big glass building, which has the letter “X” all around it, which resembles the logo of Vakko. So our first impression was “Wow. How modest!” When we got inside, we saw huge mirrors, glass structures and passways, all reflecting us in continuous prisms. A really kind and friendly employee showed us around while telling us the history of the place. She took us to the auditorium, which they allow other companies to use too.
Their library had an enormous collection of books, all on the seven different visual arts, as well as a collection of paintings which they keep in safes. What was really impressive was that if an employee is not happy with the painting in his office, he could go down to the vault and choose another one of his liking.
The only thing open to criticism was that since the building is made from steel and glass, there was no sound isolation and everyone could hear everything. This probably gets irritating at times.
Vakko was gallant enough to serve us a mini cocktail in their fascinating dining room comprised of little chic corners resembling a most affluent living room. Both their “bouche” croissants and the elegant surroundings left an amazing taste on our memory.
