Text description provided by the architects. A ground floor space facing the street, a former shop. It is very small, 18m2. All the surfaces are paneled with plasterboard (walls, ceilings, …) and the original floor covered with phenolic parquet.
We were asked to design a multipurpose room for a team of graphic designers. A parallel world to their daily workplace. A workshop to invent, with multiple formats. Occasionally a showroom for presentations and exhibitions. Possibility to be a showcase.
For its regular use it was necessary to define two environments: a working area with a large table and an informal relax and reading area. These two areas have to work as one for specific uses: exhibitions, presentations, etc.
A unique space, two atmospheres. A small stage and two different ceiling heights to define them. The stage serves as storage underneath. The relax area is defined by a wall-cabinet, a door used as a support to exhibit magazines (which closes the storage room and the toilet) and a corner with cushions and swings.
The working area is defined by three large boards attached to the wall which can be unfolded to generate three attached tables. Combinations of these boards in horizontal and vertical position determinate different uses for working, showcase, etc... Trestles and desk lamps are held behind the boards on the wall. The boards have two sides of different materiality: natural wood, white painting and blackboard for different uses.
The opposite wall is partially coated by painted cork. A line of indirect lighting towards the ceiling illuminates the entire space. A curtain rod covers the light armature and incorporates a guide to hang up paintings. This allows the wall to be used for temporary exhibitions.
It is a low-cost refurbishment. Packaging plywood panels, raw walls, painted pavement ... and a realization that is closer to DIY than a conventional work.
