The Data House, home of the DOMESTIC DATA STREAMERS studio, has become in recent years the mecca of data, a local and international reference for the research and representation of data in order to understand the contemporary world and its greatest challenges.
DOMESTIC has entrusted ODD SPACES, the design and event production studio, with the conception and execution of their new workspace. The project meets the needs of a young, multidisciplinary and constantly changing team that celebrates its 10 years of existence. With the idea of community at its core, they commit to a mobile and flexible design, always connected with the culture around them.
The project, executed in record time to minimize the disruption of activity, has been developed in two phases of just over 60 days, in the summer of 2021 and early 2023. It involves the rehabilitation of a 400 sqm industrial warehouse located in the Sants, neighbourhood of Barcelona. It is a nerve point of the city that nevertheless retains a spirit full of personality, in line with DOMESTIC DATA STREAMERS' desire to connect with the social and cultural fabric of the city. Therefore, a former tai-chi center has been transformed into a forefront and comfortable workspace, in constant dialogue with its surroundings.
DOMESTIC DATA STREAMERS is a constantly growing collective of designers, scientists, engineers, and creative technicians that cross borders between fields. "The challenge was to reflect the essence of the team and promote their coexistence in a space without rigid structures, allowing synergies, a sense of belonging and shared purpose," explains Marta Handenawer, Head of Creativity at Domestic.
In line with this collective vocation, the remodelling of the warehouse has provided areas that facilitate events, cooperation with universities and other studios, activities with students, or workshops and courses that hook the studio up with its community.
The Data House has been strategically designed by ODD SPACES through a process of researching the needs and values of the studio, a co-creation work based on personal interviews with the entire team and a deep immersion in the company's culture. They pursued the balance between rational, functional and practical needs, and the emotional needs expressed by the team, more related to well-being, rest, or creative energy. Therefore, the projection of their ideal space has inspired the design of light, the use of flexible dividers and honest materials, and the connection with the outdoor space. In short, the creation of a serene and stimulating environment.
Parallel to the main space runs a longitudinal yard that provides light, ventilation, and contact with greenery, while allowing a variety of outdoor activities. The furniture elements, unique pieces designed in collaboration with designer Cristian Herrera that help to distribute the space, have been made with efficient and friendly materials. Along with other flexible elements such as the scaffolding furniture, they convey the personality and philosophy of DOMESTIC DATA STREAMERS and aim to reflect its honest language.
To emphasize the ever-changing creative practice of the Domestics, ODD SPACES has designed mobile call rooms: unique independent volumes that can be moved around the studio to ensure maximum flexibility. At the same time, the carpeted flooring creates a greater sense of warmth and acoustic comfort. Another key area is the prototyping and 3D printing workshop that allows DOMESTIC to produce in-house pieces for their installations without losing contact with the work tables area, keeping the entire team in constant communication.
The central blue cube is the boldest piece of the project, serving as a focal point and intended for a variety of uses. The blue bunker, another relevant architectural element for the ensemble, has been transformed into a meeting room, which, in the words of Cris Moya, founder of ODD SPACES, "it’s designed to enhance the balance between natural and artificial light, projected onto the blue colour that invades the space. With this proposal, we strive for an oneiric atmosphere that stimulates creativity and imagination."
The new space for DOMESTIC DATA STREAMERS responds to all the challenges of a post-pandemic office, now that remote work has become an option for many companies. "In the last three years, comfort, well-being, and flexibility have become essential requirements to make the workplace a desirable place. With the new Data House, the presence of workers has increased by 47%, as we have managed to create a fluid and comfortable space where they feel at home," concludes Pol Trías, co-founder of Domestic, about their successful collaboration with ODD SPACES for the design of the new Data House.
Team:
Architects: Odd Spaces
Photographer: Cristian Herrera / Domestic Data Streamers
