A multifaceted space. Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio
20/03/2021.
[Bilbao] Spain
metalocus, ALMUDENA PERLAZA
metalocus, ALMUDENA PERLAZA
Oslo Cowork is a new office designed by BABELstudio, located in Bilbao. The proposal is located in one of the city's neighborhoods with a great industrial tradition that is currently being rediscovered and revitalized.
The space seeks to be a bright workplace that allows concentration, generating an atmosphere of tranquility. The project is characterized by a compact and minimalist design, the materials used for the finishes being very limited.
The space seeks to be a bright workplace that allows concentration, generating an atmosphere of tranquility. The project is characterized by a compact and minimalist design, the materials used for the finishes being very limited.
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio. Photograph by Biderbost Photo
Ground floor plan. Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio
First floor plan. Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio
Elevation. Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio
Section AA. Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio
Section BB. Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio
Section CC. Oslo Cowork by BABELstudio
The architects of BABELstudio projected a central volume that, in addition to connecting the ground floor with the first floor, contains all the secondary services, this element is the fundamental piece that articulates the entire project, it contains the stairs, the storage space, the bathroom, etc.
As for the materials, the use of wood stands out in most of the elements that make up the space. The white color of the walls stands out compared to the furniture on the sides, while the red floor highlights the sculptural character of the main piece.
As for the materials, the use of wood stands out in most of the elements that make up the space. The white color of the walls stands out compared to the furniture on the sides, while the red floor highlights the sculptural character of the main piece.
Description of project by BABELstudio
Oslo Cowork, a minimalist and compact office space designed by BABELstudio is both, the new studio of architecture photographer Erlantz Biderbost and a co-working space located in Bilbao. Situated alongside the Nervion river, the Olagbeaga neighbourhood formerly was home to shipyards, industrial plants and warehouses, then left abandoned and forgotten. However, since a few years the area is slowly rediscovered and revitalized.
The design brief was to integrate 3-5 working places, a meeting, and retreat space, kitchenette, bathroom and an extended storage in a rather small, 39 sqm gross floor area space with double height.
As for the reduced space in the floor plan, the decision of having two levels and taking advantage of the room height conditioned the design process from the earliest design stage on, separating on mezzanine level the meeting and retreat area from the permanent working places on street level.
Instead of pushing the mezzanine level towards the sides or the back wall, BABELstudio decided to organize the space around a central, free-standing volume accommodating all secondary uses plus providing access to the mezzanine platform. By setting apart the platform from the delimiting walls, the generous double-height is maintained, creating a particular, expressive spacial configuration.
The entrance, extended bookshelf and working area on the main floor are framing the central volume. Lines of tables on each side are composed by several, foldaway tables especially designed for the project together with Proyecto Veta, rendering high flexibility for various working situations and possible events such as exhibitions when completely folded down.
The platform level accommodates the meeting area, serving as well as a retreat for more isolated working situations and allows a view through the new double-height facade to the opposite Zorrozaure island. The wooden grid structure of the facade is designed to allow an increased open view on the upper level, while narrowing the grid to guarantee sufficient privacy on street level.
The interior finishes are reduced: hand made cement tiles in blood-red colour, ash wood for the central volume, tables, and full height bookshelf with brass details. Interiors of the central volume are held in dark green contrasting the red flooring and brass details. The base course is repeating the original and maintained concrete blocks of the ceiling. On the mezzanine level, a grey coloured fitted carpet is used to give it a more private and relaxed atmosphere.
The project and consequently the material selection are intended to create a balance of a bright, light flooded, minimalist studio suitable for concentrated working while offering a calm, warm atmosphere.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Handles, fittings and mechanisms.- Icónico. Lighting.- Tao Lighting Studio. Sound system.- Sonos. Hydraulic floor.- Mosaic Factory. Chairs.- Enea Design. Wood Furniture.- Proyecto Veta. Works.- Unamunzaga Obras.
Dates
2020.
Area
Useful surface.- 39 sqm.
Location
Bilbao, Spain.
Photography
Andrea García Crespo, Michael Schmidt BABELstudio
BABELstudio, founded by Andrea García Crespo and Michael Schmidt, is headquartered in Bilbao.
Andrea García Crespo has been an architect from the University of Navarra since 2006, she has worked as a professor at the University of Architecture of Venice and the University of Architecture of Navarra between 2004 and 2005. She also worked for the David Chipperfield Architects studio, where she coincided with his current partner Michael Schmidt.
The study emerged in 2011, when the two young architects entered the competition for the design of the Donostia metro entrances, in which they were finalists.
Its technical team, made up of architects and surveyors, works in the research, development and construction of various architectural projects, including participation in various international competitions.
Andrea García Crespo has been an architect from the University of Navarra since 2006, she has worked as a professor at the University of Architecture of Venice and the University of Architecture of Navarra between 2004 and 2005. She also worked for the David Chipperfield Architects studio, where she coincided with his current partner Michael Schmidt.
The study emerged in 2011, when the two young architects entered the competition for the design of the Donostia metro entrances, in which they were finalists.
Its technical team, made up of architects and surveyors, works in the research, development and construction of various architectural projects, including participation in various international competitions.
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