CODEA | LAMA studio

The aim of this project was the conversion of a commercial property and warehouse into a multi-purpose working space for Codea Studio, a Barcelona-based creative agency. Covering 355m2, the project area occupied one highly elongated floor. Due to its 6-metre-wide front façade, little natural light enters the building. The front area is a commercial space with a ceiling height of 4.5 metres, varying widths, with flat slabs and metal beams. At the back is a charming open-plan warehouse with a 5.5-metre-high gable roof constructed using wooden trusses. It stands out as the space in the project with the most architectural personality.

In order to meet all requirements of the agency’s brief, we defined two foundational concepts for the project. The first was the creation of a central core for service areas that would house storage, technical rooms, meeting rooms and lavatories, allowing us to retain both the entry space and the rear warehouse as large open spaces. The central core also functions as a transition area between the two spaces. The second basic concept was our proposed construction of a continuous linear element running the full length of the dividing wall from the entrance to the back of the space, taking on different functionalities according to the needs of each area, and employing various materials and idioms.

Specifically, the plan sees the property distributed into four distinct zones. First, the open-plan space adjacent to the street acts as the point of entry to the premises. Next, we come to the central service area which runs down a long hallway.Then, at the back, we come to the unique warehouse area. This will become the main space where the day-to-day running of the agency happens. Finally, in order to open a new back façade and bring light into the building, the old courtyard at the back of the property was restored and three large openings were made to connect it to the interior.

In terms of materials and finishes, the basic premise was not to disturb the original presentation of the spaces but only to clean and paint them white. This creates a neutral frame which focuses the attention on the renovation, creating for it an entirely independent language. The client opted for the use of raw materials, of volume and contrasting textures and colours. This is why the project materials mainly reflect a Mediterranean vernacular of architectural references plus the use of textures and colours of a more Mexican inspiration.

Rough-finished concrete block with pink tones was chosen to create both the main core area and the continuous lineal element. This brings personality and robustness to the project while acting as a self-supporting element for the construction of the entire perimeter and dividing walls of the core area. The different extensions that appear in the linear element and the warehouse were built on-site and were given a rather rough plaster finish, painted in white, highlighting their handcrafted character. For the lavatories, planters, work areas, and other areas needing special attention, complementary materials for cladding were used, such as traditional Catalan rasilla bricks and red and green glazed ceramic from La Bisbal. Finally, raw MDF board was incorporated into the project, which is a more contemporary material that contrasts visually with the others. It offers smooth surfaces to work with, bringing practicality, as well as elegance, to the project.

Photography: José Hevia

Website: https://www.josehevia.es/es/