For the KLO Flagship Petrol Station, Aranchii Architects started with the premise of creating a unique station, generating this parametric envelope through computational morphogenesis to provide sun protection, accentuate the main entrance with its curve, and unify the station's wide wings with the central building.
The outer layer of the façade consists of flat panels on metal frames, while the underlying layer is a metal cladding of the same color and shared vertical divisions, reinforcing the sense of unity. The interior space is constructed using a wooden structure that flows through magnetic lines with a welcoming plywood finish that contrasts with the dark monochromatic volume.
Flagship KLO Petrol Station by Aranchii Architects. Photograph by Alik Usik.
Project description by Aranchii Architects
Main Concept
KLO's flagship service station in Kyiv is strategically located on a key transportation artery, Mykola Bazhan Avenue, which connects Boryspil International Airport to the city center. The client's request to create a unique station is reflected in the fluid, undulating exterior envelope, which provides sun protection, accentuates the main entrance with its curve, and unifies the station's expansive wings with the central building into a holistic structure. The outer layer of the façade is composed of flat panels mounted on a metal frame, with integrated edge lighting, allowing for media functionality with discreet gaps between elements, while maintaining the architectural form as the primary focus. The underlying layer of the façade is made of metal cladding in the same color, with shared vertical divisions that reinforce the sense of unity of the overall volume. The interior space of the station's shop and café is formed by a flowing timber structure along magnetic lines, connecting different functional zones—magnets—and integrating lighting accents in key areas. Navigation is highlighted with infographic paths applied to the floor. The inviting plywood finish (a somewhat unusual choice for service stations) contrasts with the dark, monochromatic volume and beckons people inside, aided by large glass panels that blur the boundaries between street and interior.
Computational Morphogenesis
To create the facade geometry, a parametric 3D model was built, where changes in parameters influenced the surface formation, such as the overhang width, wave height and depth, and the number of discrete vertical elements into which the surface is divided. Within the space, optimization involved dividing the magnetic lines into a limited number of unified radii for automated fabrication. This parametric approach allowed for real-time adaptation of the facade and interior structure to meet structural and visual criteria without significantly reworking the 3D model. Effectively, it enabled the selection of hundreds of variations online. Design automation also facilitated the rapid exploration of numerous options to select the best solution based on the specified criteria.
Sustainability
The south-facing façade of the central building, which houses the smart hotel and overlooks Bazhan Avenue, is mitigated by an additional façade layer that blocks direct sunlight, providing diffused light throughout the day. This, combined with other energy-efficiency measures, reduces the equivalent CO2 emissions footprint. The primary material for the interior space, eco-friendly plywood, sets the standard for material selection, adhering to the cradle-to-cradle concept.
