“Red Bull gives you Wings” – a Red Bull maxim as Design Concept.
The term “Wings” is a universal metaphor used by many cultures to signify elation, freedom and release from earthly bonds. For Red Bull, “wings”, are a metaphor for a drink that “revitalizes the body and mind”.
The notion of “wings”, suggesting movement, freedom and revitalization, combined with Red Bull’s corporate philosophy evolved (as a conceptual point of departure for the designers) into a metaphor of transformation of personal and architectural transformation.
The design concept proposes that the Red Bull Music Academy (Phase 1) and Headquarters (Phase 2) are vessels for transformation: both as a significant event in the lives of the participants and experientially with engaging, interactive architectural elements. The notion of “vessels ” and “transformation” is represented in many conceptual levels, from the smallest detail to the overall space.
The Music Academy is one of many venues that encapsulate Red Bull’s corporate mantra of “mentorship” instead of sponsorship. The new space, both as the Academy and later as Canadian Headquarters is intended to function as a forum for the exchange of ideas, an inspirational hub where knowledge and experience is gained and disseminated and the participants transformed through the experience. To capture those precious, inspirational moments, the design of the new space will feature a “Memento Wall”, a two-storey tall wall located within the atrium space upon which are affixed clear acrylic boxes containing collected objects, DVD’s, CD’s, writings and other ephemera that were inspirational to the participating artists during their time at the Academy. Like time capsules they record moments in time that were transformative for them, yet is accessible for others to view in the future, a record in the authors’ absence. Visible from within the atrium the box’s contents will draw curiosity within the viewer. The “Memento Wall” is an organic work-in-progress that will be filled over time with the clear boxes evocative of a brick structure.
Where the memento boxes are vessels to capture and preserve the memory of the moments of inspiration, the architectural elements of the space are evocative of vessels created to support the activities within and their designs are intended to stimulate and engender creativity. Gathering spaces from enclosed, private rooms to open casual areas for impromptu meetings were envisioned to provide opportunities for the exchange of ideas. Their forms are also intended to be evocative of the memento box spaces for the exchange of ideas and transformative experiences.
The challenge was to create a conceptually compelling and consistent design narrative that evokes and enhances Red Bull’s unique notions of sponsorship or “mentorship” and of the transformation and physical or creative development of the individual through their support.
The narrative or architectural promenade would gradually reveal forms and details evocative of the brand’s ideals. The metaphor of the “vessel” appears in various forms, for example: the memento box, the entrance transition corridor, the glass enclosed wood reception desk, pivoting gallery walls, and the various meeting rooms. Wing-like curved glass partition walls at the private offices animate and create pattern and repetition. A new double-height atrium space with a custom-designed perforated steel spiral stair was created to link the two floors. Second floor meeting rooms contains bar-like, sunken and formal meeting areas.
Both phases were designed simultaneously, with the future conversion from the Music Academy to the Headquarters already considered. The design/construction strategy was to leave the base building “as-is” for cost reasons, and focus on improving upon the existing services and implementing new architectural elements. The designers also functioned as project managers to ensure that the quality of the custom metal/millwork details for phase 2 were uncompromised. Other challenges included the construction complexities of weaving and refining the Academy space with the clients already functioning within the space.
