b-ing Interiors
Cloudworks, Torre Colón
Elastiko Architects
Torre Colón is an unmistakable highlight on Barcelona’s skyline, a 20th Century icon. It is a building that rewards closer inspection. The building style belongs to another era and just like the modernisme architecture of Gaudi, Puig i Cadafalch etc. is a testament to the evolving character of Barcelona. This fit-out by Elastiko Architects for Cloudworks co-working underlines the building’s relationship with the Mediterranean. Interior finishes, colours, textures and light are all combined to create a bright and airy 21st Century work place.
The following description was provided by the architects, Elastiko.
Elastiko has designed a work space inspired by the metropolitan-maritime relationship taking advantage of its location in front of the Mediterranean Sea on the 15th floor of Torre Colón and its 360° vistas enjoyed by the building. Torre Colón was one of the first ‘skyscrapers’ constructed in Barcelona and its first building over 100 m in height when completed in 1969. The architectural language is greatly influenced by Brutalism, with exposed reinforced concrete which is noteworthy for its slightly twisting façade where each floor is slightly rotated relative to the one below.
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The main concept behind the project is inspired by the creation of a single open plan space that revolves around the central core of the tower, providing views over the city which also facilitates calmer work zones for focused concentration and rest. The client wanted a versatile work environment that would be innovative and flexible rather than the tradition static work space, but with high quality finishes that would be connected with the maritime context.
To achieve that end Elastiko has focused its approach in several areas:
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The colour blue has been introduced for ceilings and the canteen maximising the relationship of the building with the sea, and natural oak timber is used for shared central areas to lend warmth to the spaces and create a more welcoming setting for clients. And finally a continuous strip has been provided around the façade perimeter that takes advantage of the extraordinary views.
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The core of the tower with its characteristic concrete structure of reinforced concrete, typical of these buildings (that accommodates the lifts, escape stairs and bathrooms), is used to provide a double wall of wood that houses the phone booths and relaxation or siesta rooms for more informal calls, together with the building plant and storage. The programme is completed with a kitchen-canteen area, the socialising zone and two flexible meeting rooms that also serve as a games room with a ping-pong table.
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The tables and benches have also been designed by Elastiko for this project. Iconic pieces by renowned brands such as Santa & Cole and Marset for the lighting as well as HAY, Cármenes, Enea Design and Stua for the furniture compliment Elastiko’s designs.
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User wellbeing and project sustainability considerations were also important to the development of the approach. The fittings and fixtures were designed for the maximum comfort of the co-workers, benefiting from the availability of natural daylight at the work stations and paying particular attention to the air quality. Similarly remote control technologies have been integrated within the project in order to control energy use. The 15th floor of Cloudworks Drassanes is currently being used as offices by Danish practice BIG Architects as their base in Barcelona.
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