AMS is a Uruguayan logistics and foreign trade company with more than 70 years of experience in the local market. Its headquarters is located in a heritage building in the city’s historic center, constructed in 1926 and modified multiple times over the years. Originally built as a bank, the property was gradually occupied without a defined strategy, resulting in a fragmented, identity-less configuration filled with partitions, panel dividers, and dark areas that no longer suited the company’s current programs and teams.
With the goal of aligning the workspace design with the company’s renewed profile, AMS commissioned Contract Workplaces to carry out a comprehensive transformation that would reflect its new culture—collaborative, dynamic, and modern—aligned with a young and connected team.
The design concept was inspired by Montevideo as a port city, expressing AMS’s connection, and that of the companies housed in the building, to port-related activity. The proposal reorganized the offices into an open-plan layout with a central collaborative and meeting hub that fosters interaction among teams. This configuration enhances proximity between areas, reinforces a sense of belonging, and optimizes the functionality of the space.
On the access floor, a “café work” space was created, combining meeting areas and an auditorium, along with meeting rooms available for rental. A collaborative space for spontaneous gatherings was also incorporated, promoting a flexible and adaptable environment. Common areas were enriched by the intervention of a local artist, who developed a graphic piece that spans the main staircase, giving it identity and dynamism.
One of the most significant challenges was improving the acoustics of the space, accomplished through the incorporation of felt panels for sound absorption. In addition, despite the limited availability of natural light, a variety of indoor plant species were introduced, with tailored solutions for each area.
Art also plays a central role in the project. A sculpture by artist Gustavo Genta—a mobile—was installed in the staircase atrium, bringing dynamism and strengthening the identity of the space.
Regarding materials, wood, stone, and earthy tones were used to create a warm and natural atmosphere. The graphics applied to signage and murals incorporate an industrial language consistent with the port theme. Lighting was carefully designed, with fixtures inspired by buoys, suspended ropes, and grid structures evocative of cranes and port equipment, reinforcing the design concept.
The color palette incorporates primary tones such as blue and green combined with the warmth of wood. The aim was to capture the essence of ports around the world through elements such as blackboards reminiscent of ship windows and graphics with flowing lines. At the heart of each floor, green plazas were created with multifunctional furniture designed to support both informal meetings and moments of rest and recreation.
The result of this intervention is a space that not only reflects AMS’s identity but also responds to its current work needs, promoting collaboration, creativity, and well-being among its occupants. The building’s transformation reaffirms its heritage value through a design that balances history, modernity, and functionality.
