When POLITIK came to C3V with this new project the main requirement was to reinvent its workplace to be one where people desired to work in, where knowledge and learning were emphasized and encouraged. The goal was to improve the quality of life of not only the employees but to inspire everyone interacting within the space -from clients to associates and from the receptionist to the mail man.
Thus, the importance of creating a space where architecture became the tool to transmit the culture and philosophy of the firm: a consulting company that offers social, economic and political support to other entities with a young firm vision, modern and creative spirited but simultaneously agile, strong and efficient.
Given these parameters for the initial concept, the idea of creating a free/open work environment arises, a space that allows for rethinking the ways of the traditional workplace. Therefore, the design partee of the project is conceived from the idea of transforming spaces through furnishing, specific needs and user´s moods and the firm’s potential growth in size. The stereotype of traditional fixed cubicles is set aside to give birth to a versatile space that functions as an open plan, allowing for different configurations and ways of working: a flexible desk in an open work area for a single user, a private setup within a multipurpose room, a relaxed spot in the lounge room, laying on a stepped floor or swinging in a swing. At the same time, the concept of putting aside the hierarchical barrier among boss and subordinate was possible through having an open plan space without physical boundaries, where all users work sharing the same space.
Continuing with the conception of a mutating space, the multipurpose room was designed as a space that exists and ceases to exist as required, through wood panels that slide allowing for partial or total openness in the space. The meeting table is a result of 4 individual desks put together, which could be moved apart to become individual ones and be integrated in the rest of the suite.
Finally, the architect was faced with the question of bringing to the formal aspect of the project the concept of a creative and flexible office as well as a strong and stable one. Given the fact that the suite is not too large, noble materials and neutral colors were selected – wood and concrete; grey, black and white – allowing to brighten up the main character of the suite: the mural, adding creativity and fun. The mural narrates through illustrations and key words the company’s idiosyncrasy, from a jaguar that represents mental agility and courage, an owl that represents wisdom and vigilance and a brain that plays chess as a symbol of tactics and strategic thinking.
All furniture and wall finishes of the project are set up in modular systems and made of pine plywood – produced in responsible managed forests. Since standard wood planks are 2.40m x 1.20m, all furniture and wall panels were sized to produce the least amount of waste. Thus, every piece was designed to be in those sizes or their multiples or fractions. This way, each individual desk is the size of a quarter of a full plywood plank, and the meeting room is made of 4 individual desks joint together, creating a full plank.
