2021
This coworking located in the Barcelona neighborhood of l'Eixample has been developed applying well-being parameters, related to neuroscience studies applied to architecture.
Most of them have to do with proportion, materiality, flexibility and the use of natural and artificial light. But the way of orienting and moving around the different areas has also been studied, as well as the type of vegetation, especially on the outside terrace, which acts as a large green lung inside the block (description continues below).
Atrium
The building was intended for parking and we started by establishing the proportions of the space. We combined small single-height rooms, like boxes inserted into the existing volume, with the generous meeting areas and the large central atrium, thus allowing activities with different levels of concentration.
This large double space allows light to reach the lower floor and identify the place at all levels. This facilitates orientation in space, recognizing it and always having a point of reference emphasized by the palm trees that act as a landscape landmark. The main staircase and the hanging stands enhance their role of connection and are conceived as favorable places for the relationship of their users as well as favoring physical movement and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
Both natural and artificial lighting are proposed trying to reproduce the spectrum of sunlight throughout a day, thus accompanying circadian rhythms: mornings begin with bluish lighting, to stimulate physical and mental activity. It becomes more intense in the central hours - the zenithal light from the skylights on the deck - and the artificial light becomes warm and orange in the last hours, to allow you to go into relaxation mode at the end of the day.
The materiality has been applied with criteria of sustainability and well-being, prioritizing the use of those that are more natural because they emit less toxicity into the environment. The dividing panels are made of stoneware with a suitable degree of porosity to allow the regulation of the humidity of the interior environment. Wood has also been chosen for these characteristics and for its connotations of comfort and warmth. Acoustic absorption panels have been used both in the slabs of the envelope and in the office or meeting rooms. The proposed paints are mineral and silicate. The rugs and textiles are made of natural fibers and the furniture is ergonomic and adaptable to different heights, since it is essential to promote proper body posture throughout the working day.
Finally, thanks to the flexibility of the boxes, which allows the addition or segregation of rooms through the use of light panels, a versatile office has been achieved, which responds to the current paradigm of combining open and closed spaces according to the needs of each company. that coexists in the resulting workspace.
All these parameters determine the quality of the interior environment that affects the well-being of the people who work in the office.
Preliminary project raised in our stage of partners of Nook Architects.
Development and materiality of the project carried out by NeuronaLab, currently in the design phase of construction details.