EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION OFFICES in Barcelona

Who has never dreamt of working at the beach? The design of new headquarters for Effective Communication in Barcelona converts their workspace into a beach, bringing a fresh and fun atmosphere that invites the team to maintain a positive attitude, as part of their corporate philosophy. CLIENT’S BRIEF The Swedish company Effective Communication approaches EL EQUIPO CREATIVO with a clear wish: to offer their young Swedish team a new fun and fresh workspace in Barcelona; a place where they can both “work hard” and “party hard”, and which allows them to celebrate their “after-work” events and “Friday barbecues”, important activities of their corporate strategy. CONCEPT From the beginning, EL EQUIPO CREATIVO understood that the design needed to speak about the city of Barcelona, since it was the main element of attraction for the Swedish staff moving to the company’s new headquarters. And more specifically a spontaneous and fresh Barcelona, full of colour and joy, which is the image that the city exports to northern Europe. The offices are in the Poble Nou neighbourhood, an old industrial and workshop area next to the coast, today converted into the 22@ District, the new technological and artistic centre of the city: the new “place to be” for any young company. Its proximity to the sea, and the idea of creating a playful workplace for young Swedes in Barcelona, made the designers think of creating an office inspired by the beach. DESIGN The main space of the headquarters is the large call-centre room, which requires very careful acoustics due to the type of work carried out there. EL EQUIPO CREATIVO used soundinsulation elements as one of the leading design strategies. The result is a lively acoustic ceiling simulating beach towels with an explosion of bright colours and sailor stripes. The textured carpet flooring performs as the organic counterpoint to the ceiling. In different shades and grades of blue, the carpet simulates the seawater sweeping up on the beach. The result is a dynamic space that generates an energetic and positive attitude among the staff, part of the company’s corporate philosophy. The kitchen represents the alter-ego of the workspace. Strategically located next to the facade and directly connected to the terrace--- the other principal protagonist of the offices--- the kitchen is the place to socialize par excellence. The design in both spaces reflects the most playful and sporty beach aesthetic, offering different seating and socializing arrangements: intimate corners, more group-friendly surfboard tables, table games, pool and even a kiosk-bar for “after-work” parties every Friday. The kitchen opens onto the terrace through large sliders, connecting both spaces on sunny days.