Located in a former industrial neighbourhood of Bilbao, Oslo Cowork is a minimalist and compact office space designed by BABELstudio. The project and consequently the material selection is intended to create a balance of a bright, light-flooded, minimalist studio suitable for concentrated working while offering a calm, warm atmosphere.
The brief for Oslo Cowork integrates 3-5 working places with a meeting and retreat space, kitchenette and bathroom and an extended storage hall - all within a rather small 39 sqm floor area space.
In response to the reduce floor space available, the design takes advantage of double-storey roof height and the incorporation of a mezzanine level. The space is organized around a central, free-standing volume to accommodate all secondary uses as well as access to the mezzanine platform.
Upon entry to the office, an extended bookshelf and working area on the main floor frame the central volume. Lines of tables on each side are composed of several fold-away tables designed for the project in collaboration with ProyectoVeta. This allows for high-level flexibility in terms of working situations and possible exhibitions when the tables are folded down. The platform area accommodates a meeting zone, as well as a retreat when required for a more isolated working situation.
Outside, the wood grid structure of the façade is designed to allow for increased openness to the upper level, while narrowing the grid at lower level to guarantee sufficient privacy from the street.
Materials selected are reduced and include handmade cement tiles in blood-red colour, ash wood for the central volume, as well as tables and full height bookshelf with brass details. Interiors of the central volume are in dark green, contrasting the red flooring and brass details while at mezzanine level, a grey coloured fitted carpet lends a comfortable and informal atmosphere.
