Tag commercialarchitecture

The idea for this project was to renovate an existing shop, combining a French bistro and an Italian bakery. The owner wanted a place where people could enjoy a good coffee while choosing from a selection of pastries. Or, to have a sip of wine while eating a slice of a Napoletan pizza.

The building comprised a big open area with a kitchen at the back. Our proposal was to transform the existing door between the saloon and the kitchen into an arched window. Therefore, the customers could watch the production line, which would entice them to taste the freshly baked treats.

Right in front of the entry door, we placed the main counter, which showcases the house’s specialties. Among the sweet treats, there are croissants, eclairs, muffins, and cakes. The coffee machine and the appliances to prepare juices and smoothies are on the left side, while the point-of-sale is to the right.

In the sitting area, we suggested some tables scattered around and also booths for a more intimate atmosphere. Regarding the finishes and materials, we chose timber panels and the classic bistro furniture, evoking reminiscences from Paris. Aiming to bring a bit from Italy, and add a touch of coziness, we added distressed brick and mustard walls. For the floor, natural stone in a light sand colour.

Are you after plans for your new cafe or restaurant? Be it a French bistro or an Italian bakery, we can assist you with the design!

A few years ago we were engaged to work on a corporate project for a multinational company: their new educational facilities in Curitiba, Brazil. This company is from Germany, but its South American headquarters are located in Curitiba. The production site spreads around 20,000 sqm of built area, where they manufacture machines for the textile industry. Besides Germany and Brazil, they have units in China, India, Mexico, and the USA, among other countries.

The corporate project for this multinational company involved the renovation of an existing ground-floor building. The educational facilities would have a training room and a videoconference room, as well as toilets and a cafeteria. As per the clients’ request. we used state-of-the-art features. As an example, we specified double glass partitions with blinds operated by remote control for the training room.

Aiming to allow multiple uses of the space, we chose a flexible range of office desks. This furniture allowed for different configurations, such as meeting rooms, classrooms, or team groups. For the coffee bar, we proposed a small kitchenette and tall tables with stools, aiming to create engagement among the attendees. Regarding finishes and materials, we opted for light oak partitions, suggesting neutral greys for both the carpet and floor tiles. For the office chairs, we chose tan leather, the same finish as the stools in the cafeteria.

This was not the only corporate project designed by us. At Instant Design we have plenty of experience in designing commercial spaces, as you may see here or here.

Are you thinking about uplifting your office? Or maybe setting up a new business and in need of some ideas? Let’s have a chat!

In 2013, one of our clients engaged our practice to develop this commercial project in a very privileged street. While the upper level has 6 offices, the ground floor has 2 spacious shops. However, these shops could be either subdivided into 4 units or grouped into a bigger one.

The project occupies the whole lot frontage, taking advantage of the existing zoning parameters. We allocated one shop on each side of the building, with an entryway to the upper level in the middle. The access to the second floor consists of a stairway and a lift, which form an outstanding volume in the facade.

The local legislation permits mezzanines up to 50% of the shop floor, so we suggested a double-height ceiling. Therefore, the shop tenants would be able to maximize their space. We discussed this idea in advance with the structural engineers, who then considered the mezzanine when doing their calculations.

To visually reduce the double height of the first floor, which has wide shop windows, an aluminium awning runs through the main facade. Large steel corten porcelain tiles from Portobello complement the look, along with textured render in neutral colours.

Both the stairway and lift also connect the two floors with the basement, where the parking lot is. Aiming to reduce costs with excavation, we followed the natural profile of the lot. Considering that the ground floor sits 1.6m above the street level, we proposed a curved accessible ramp aiming for accessibility.

On the second floor, a hall gives access to the six offices. While two of them face the front of the lot, the other four are facing back. Having an open-plan room, each office suite has a small kitchenette and an accessible toilet, as per the local regulations.

The owners wanted to provide infrastructure for the air conditioning system in all offices but, at the same time, give the tenants the option to customize the internal floor plan. Therefore, we simulated a few possible layouts, so the engineers could set the best location for the air conditioning equipment.

Soon after the construction, all units were leased. The location on a privileged street was certainly important for this outcome. However, the well-planned spaces, the good-quality materials, and the elegant facade definitely had a positive impact.

At Instant Design, we have plenty of experience planning commercial spaces. And we are ready to assist you with your next job. For other examples of commercial projects we have done in the past, you may click here and here.

Back in 2012, we had the opportunity to assist one of our corporate clients with this renovation project. The building renovation included not only a facade uplift but also a new internal layout. At the upper level, we proposed curved panels in aluminium to hide the existing individual balconies, bringing movement and unity to the building.

Curves were also present in other elements of this renovation, such as the textured concrete wall which hides a generator, to the right side of the stairway. Or the accessible ramp, which performs a smooth curve that leads to the entry door. Indeed, curved ramps are a clever idea when we need to reach a different level within a small space. We used a similar approach in some of our architectural projects, as you may see here and here.

We developed this building renovation project for a company that manipulates enteral nutrition and chemotherapy medication. Our role comprised not only designing a facade uplift and the internal layout for the administrative areas but also coordinating other professionals. Among the external consultants, there was the team in charge of the laboratory equipment and the air conditioning system, for example.

The first floor, located below street level, lodges storage and the logistics department. On the other hand, the second one has the laboratories and the main entry. The original project had two wide stairways leading to the entry, which posed an obstacle for people with disabilities. So we reduced the width of the stairs, proposing an accessible curved ramp instead.

The third floor lodges the administrative staff, a meeting room and the director’s office. On that floor, we took advantage of the existing walls to minimize costs. To complete the project, we designed the landscaping and a totem with the company logo, which was installed in the front garden.

Are you after a building renovation or a facade uplift for your home or office? Maybe colour consulting services? We can assist you!