The design of Glem offices by Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is defined by it’s odd location, under a triangular end of a concrete stand for rowing competitions.

Besides the fact that the first of the three floors is semi-buried and the roof is public seating made of concrete, thus not allowing openings to the exterior, windows were extremely restricted on the only  two small façades of the project.

One is almost entirely occupied by a pedestrian ramp to access the stands, wich are public and so, seen by the client as a threat to a possible trespassing. For that reason, this façade has some long and narrow openings closed with clear transparent glass, to invite inside only light and external views. The second façade overlooks a group of confused existing buildings, a fact that led us to design a semi-circle glazing with translucent bullet-proof glass.

After dealing with all that limitations, Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura decided to bring together all the separate parts of the project via a vertical circulation space defined by curved concrete stairs, eucaliptus laminated beams and a bamboo mesh. An empty basket that welcome visitors and animate the office with a delicately enclosed void.

On the first level, the basket-defined space offers a small waiting area used as well for informal meetings, and distribute access to three sinuous meeting rooms, two bathrooms, a working area and a technical room. The first staircase takes to a catwalk that mirrors, in laminated translucent glass, the semi-circle geometry of one of the façades glazing. This catwalk takes to the second floor that contains wood sliding doors that can partially connect or totally separate the spaces of the office’s directors’ rooms.

The second staircase takes to the relaxing level of the office, with a small kitchen, a table for eating and a sofa for resting. There are also two changing rooms here. Details such as the on-site handcrafted bamboo mesh, the translucent catwalk glass, stainless steel handrails that seem to float over the stairs for not being attached to it, and the  generous light  filtered mainly trough the semi-circle glazing, gives lightness and delicacy to the design.

Project: Glem Offices Location: Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Design date: 2008 Completion date: 2009 Built area: 350,00m² Type: Interior

Architect: Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura | Team members: Ivo Mareines, Rafael Patalano, Flávia Lima, Rafael Pretti

Construction: Senpro Engenharia Light design: Ana Moraes Projetos Interior Design: Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura

Consultants: Steel structure: Senpro projetos Laminated wood structure: Andreas Hösch

Sources: Estrura de madeira Laminada : Esmara estruturas de madeira Locksmith Steel: Superfície arte Metal

Furniture: Mareines + Patalano Arquitetura – Management tables VOKO -  workstation and chairs Bortolini – metting table Magis – chair one- Via Manzoni – red chairs

Photography: © leonardo@finotti.com

We believe in sustainability ideas, but not only when applied through technologycal devices of energy consumption reduction, but mainly by locating correctly and shaping architecture. We always try to work with varied themes in a constant search for new questions and answers.

Each client is unique, as are unique the moment and the society in wich we live. Nothing less true than equal answers to different questions.

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