Genplan institute
Year
2018 – 2019
Industry
Urabnistic
Media
Corporate
Intranet
Role
UX-team of one
Services
UX-research
Design delivery
About the project
The Genplan Institute of Moscow is one of the oldest architectural and urban planning firms in Russia. With its long history and high level of expertise, it holds significant influence on the international stage. Now, Genplan is focused on expanding its media presence and attracting private investment.
Shaping the
style
Genplan's brand identity draws from the constructivist heritage of Alexander Rodchenko, El Lissitzky, and Bauhaus. We wanted to break away from typical government aesthetics by embracing constructivism, reinterpreted with a web-friendly approach.Simple geometry and clarity of purpose form the strong foundation of Genplan's visual identity, making it both striking and accessible.
The site structure
Genplan is a large-scale site with a complex structure, featuring numerous pages, each with its own logic and objectives. To organize and clearly define this structure, we conducted a thorough analysis of the content and user needs, which became the foundation for its information architecture.
The main page
To establish Genplan as an opinion leader, the main page now spotlights media activity—News, Case Studies, Events, and Lectures—resembling a media portal rather than a standard government site. This shift is designed to attract a wider audience and drive engagement. By prioritizing content and insights, we’re positioning Genplan as an active voice in architecture and urban planning, transforming the site into a go-to resource for industry updates and thought leadership.
The publications' page
“Legibility first” was the driving principle behind this page’s design. With a focus on longreads and richly illustrated articles, the layout needed to stay visually engaging and clear, even during extended reading. I selected a serif font with a slightly increased line height and letter spacing to create a more comfortable, easy-to-read experience.
The projects' page
Genplan’s case studies are a point of pride, yet they hadn’t been given the presentation they deserved. I created a flexible, interactive layout with a focus on infotainment, letting each project shine and engage viewers the way it should. The design invites users to explore, interact, and fully appreciate the depth of each case. Now, the projects aren’t just displayed—they’re experienced.
The search page
A powerful search function was essential, as users needed quick access to a wide array of resources — from articles and documents to guides and forms. To achieve this, we built a robust search tool with intelligent filtering and well-organized results. Now, users can easily find exactly what they’re looking for without sifting through irrelevant content. This enhanced search experience has become a vital feature, ensuring users can access accurate information quickly and efficiently
An Intranet for Seamless
collaboration
collaboration
Genplan, a 800+ employee organization, was long overdue for a modernized corporate portal. The original portal, built in the late ‘90s, had an outdated structure that no longer served today’s needs. I set out to completely reimagine its design and functionality, focusing on the features that truly matter in a busy workplace. The new portal is more than just a refreshed look— it’s a powerful, user-centered tool that helps employees solve work-related issues, access resources, and stay connected effortlessly. Now, Genplan’s team has a streamlined, reliable platform that meets the demands of a modern organization.
The research
To fully understand Genplan’s user needs, we conducted over 300 interviews across the organization, speaking with both department heads and frontline employees. This in-depth approach allowed us to identify real pain points, standardize terms, and map out workflows in a way that reflects the daily reality of users. By focusing on the language, processes, and documentation requirements specific to each role, we built a foundation for a portal that truly addresses users’ needs. User Story Mapping (USM) was a crucial tool in organizing these insights, helping us turn our findings into a cohesive, user-centered structure.
The research
We streamlined the intranet by breaking everything down into logical sections and highlighting the most frequently used tools directly on the homepage. This layout ensures employees can access what they need quickly and efficiently. While we maintained the look and feel of the main portal, we didn’t sacrifice usability—now, the intranet combines familiar branding with an intuitive, modern interface that meets the team’s daily needs.
We refined the forms, removing numerous unnecessary fields to create a cleaner, more user-friendly experience. By stripping out excess information, we made the forms faster to complete and far less overwhelming, allowing users to focus on what’s essential without distractions. Now, submitting a request or updating information is a streamlined process that respects users’ time and reduces friction.
We refined the forms, removing numerous unnecessary fields to create a cleaner, more user-friendly experience. By stripping out excess information, we made the forms faster to complete and far less overwhelming, allowing users to focus on what’s essential without distractions. Now, submitting a request or updating information is a streamlined process that respects users’ time and reduces friction.
The design style was also influenced by the need for compatibility with touch screens used within the organization. This meant creating larger, more accessible buttons and ensuring the interface was intuitive for both desktop and touch interactions. By prioritizing touch-friendly elements, we made the intranet versatile and easy to navigate, whether employees are accessing it from a desktop or an in-house touchscreen device.