The Arquea Arquitetos office is located in a mezzanine space with a warehouse-like feel in downtown Curitiba (Paraná), on a lively street bustling both day and night. In tune with the urban rhythm, the space takes on a different character from typical corporate projects: with a more relaxed and free atmosphere, lacking strict formality or repetition, it is defined by its openness and is divided into just two main areas—the actual workspace and a gathering area that includes a meeting room, model-making studio, reception, and kitchenette. These are separated by the staircase that provides street access, positioned in the center of the space and naturally segmenting it.

This open and spacious layout, with high ceilings and abundant natural light from both sides, fosters the collaborative spirit that defines the studio’s process. Our interactions with team members are quick, spontaneous, and open. Likewise, being closely connected to the diversity of downtown—with its mix of people and businesses—helps us maintain a sense of empathy and awareness, qualities that may be among the most essential for an architect to cultivate.

The office has just one meter of street frontage—the width of a single door. Because of this, we chose a well-crafted, large, heavy metal door with a strong sense of presence. In the end, this is a simple project whose importance may lie more in its conceptual meaning than in its formal design: the reinterpretation of old structures that are often difficult to repurpose, making them functional and relevant once again. And through occupying such a space, we aim to demonstrate that costly and polluting demolition is not always the best solution.