For two sister companies, Firm Architects created a low budget high impact workspace inspired by the true North. This conceptual line of connection and exploration forms the foundation of the design, linking space, purpose, and identity. Firm architects landed on this concept trough both brand’s identities. The corresponding circle of latitude for one entity and the lines from the identity of the other have been carefully incorporated in a strong yet simple design. It features two central wooden blocks that divide the workspace into distinct zones while maintaining visual and functional flow. Cutting through these blocks is an orange line representing the north line. This line symbolically "binds" the two cabins on the hill together, embodying the idea of unity across boundaries. The blocks represent the two companies and can be seen as two blocks on a mountain. Two magnetic cabins pushing and pulling towards one another.
The line motif represents the invisible lines that dictates the relationship between elements. The line of altitude. The line of movement. It is inspired by mountains, as shown on drawings of elevations. This theme of the line extends into the orange north line as seen through 4 glass doors representing the needle of a compass. Reflecting the themes of direction, movement, and discovery that define the company’s spirit. Firm’s EGE custom carpet design is sustainable due to its econyl fiber. The black Forbo marmoleum is also a ecofriendly flooring option. This sustainable and low budget mindset in designing this space is further enhanced by the use of as bare materials as much as possible, like aluminum brut window frames (for its easy recycling purposes as well as its material nod towards a compass), the wooden wallcovering and the Acosorb ceiling. Also in furniture this is represented with vintage chairs, the re-use of desks and office chairs, and the raw aluminum PHE chairs and Stool.
Having achieved this impact in space with a fairly simple, poetic and most of all very affordable design, shows the Firm architects approach towards designing spaces that have a narrative. Spaces that matter.
