Dobra Colaborativo is a shared workspace located in the city center of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The project was conceived around the idea of bringing architecture, nature and new ways of working closer together.
Rather than following the conventional model of a coworking space, it proposes a working environment integrated with the landscape, where gardens are not merely decorative features but fundamental elements shaping the architecture and the everyday experience of its users.
The project occupies a relatively small 240 m² plot, previously occupied by a 60 m² house that was demolished to make way for the new building. From the beginning, the intention was to preserve part of the site's construction history by salvaging the solid bricks from the former house and reusing them in the new building's walls.
Another important aspect was the site's natural topography, with an approximately three-meter difference in elevation between the street and the rear of the plot. Rather than completely altering this condition, the project incorporated it into its design, allowing for the creation of a semi-underground level.
The main objective was to position the workspaces at the same level as the gardens, establishing a direct relationship between users and vegetation. To achieve this, the layout was organized around green areas interspersed with the built spaces.
The gardens at the rear and in the center of the plot act as spatial voids that structure the project, allowing natural light to enter, promoting air circulation and creating visual connections between interior and exterior.
The program accommodates different ways of working and interacting. It includes a reception area, shared workspaces, private offices, a meeting room, a kitchen, restrooms and social areas. One of the project's most distinctive features is the circular meeting room, positioned at the center of the garden.
Its metal frame and ribbed glass enclosure provide privacy while maintaining a visual connection with the surrounding vegetation. The workspaces also feature large glazed surfaces, preserving visual continuity throughout the building.
Permeability is a design principle expressed at different scales. The façade, made of an open metal grid, allows passersby to glimpse the activities taking place inside. Within the building, transparent partitions, ribbed glass and perforated metal elements define spaces without completely interrupting visual connections. The intention is to avoid excessively enclosed environments and establish a continuous relationship between the different areas.
Architecture and interiors were developed as an integrated design process by the studio. Most of the elements were custom-designed, including desks, marine plywood furniture, lighting fixtures, the meeting room and construction details.
The material palette follows a simple and direct approach, highlighting exposed concrete, reclaimed solid bricks, metalwork and the natural appearance of wood. A roof structure protects the work areas from rain while allowing the gardens to remain open to the sky.
The presence of vegetation, combined with natural daylight and cross-ventilation, helps create a more pleasant microclimate and a working experience that differs from conventional office environments. The movement of sunlight, changing patterns of light and shadow, and the presence of plants make the space evolve throughout the day.
The name Dobra Colaborativo also expresses an intention that goes beyond the physical organization of the space. The proposal is to create an environment where users feel a sense of belonging, sharing not only a working infrastructure but also experiences, ideas and a sense of community. In this way, the project transforms a small urban plot into an urban garden, where architecture, landscape and collaboration become part of a shared experience.
