Mexico City designers restored an abandoned courtyard, transforming it into an additional recreational space for an experiential marketing company.
Mexico City designers, Taller Paralelo and Casares Arquitectos, restored an abandoned courtyard and transformed it into an additional recreational space for an experiential marketing company, Matraka. The space include workstations, collaborative spaces, and independent spaces. Biophilic components were added throughout the space for added employee health and wellness benefits.
Project Details:
Lighting: ILWT (Miguel Ángel Vega + Paola del Valle)
Furniture: Atelier Central and Herman Miller
Work Stations: Haworth by Essmed Arquitectura
Chairs: Steelcase
Outdoor Furniture: Rokam and Communita
Carpet: Milliken
Flooring: Comercial Maderera Landero
Landscape: JCP Arboricultura y Paisajismo
Branding: Anagrama
Photography: Onnis Luque
When was the project completed?
2019
What is the size of the space (SF)?
4,467 square-feet.
Was this new or renovated space?
Renovated space.
How many SF per person?
62.91 square-feet per person.
How many employees?
71
What is the average daily population?
45
Describe workspace type.
The space has an organic layout that allows a great open space to accommodate designers, account executives, production managers and their staff in seventy working stations, plus coworking areas, sporadic brainstorming spaces and a recreational and relaxing atmosphere. There’re also two private spaces and a main meeting room.
What kind of meeting spaces are provided?
There is a main meeting room along with other small collaborative spaces located throughout the entire space. This allows for the connection between various members of the office, creating a relaxed atmosphere and encourages informal meetings in the space.
What other kinds of support or amenity spaces are provided?
Located on the ground floor of a six-story corporate building, the existing open space, confined by a curtain wall and an outdoor terrace, called us to integrate the outdoors by designing an inviting roof-top garden filled with trees and lush vegetation together with seating and tables. The internal space has minimal divisions and is open towards the new terrace.
What is the project’s location and proximity to public transportation and/or other amenities?
Matraka is located in one of the busiest areas of Mexico City. While public transportation options are not the best in the area, scooters and bikes are a great solution with a cycle path nearby.
Was the C-Suite involved in the project planning and design process? If so, how?
The guidelines given to us by the company’s partners were somewhat contrasted. On the one hand, the space and the Matraka brand represent a series of premium clients, so this characteristic had to be reflected in the space, but we had to combine it with a relaxed, open, flexible and creative concept; this required a multifaceted and complex proposal but at the same time it was clear and persuasive. We use neutral materials that reflect formality in contrast to the arrangement of open areas, creative collaborative spaces and a large green terrace around the perimeter.
Was there any emphasis or requirements on programming for health and wellbeing initiatives for employees?
We included exterior terraces with outdoor dining space and some recreational areas.
What kind of branding elements were incorporated into the design?
There are five simple branding elements in the – decals and lightboxes – making a simple and elegant allusion to the company.
What is the most unique feature of the new space?
The open-plan solution with the perimeter terrace and its landscape.
What was the most difficult aspect of change for employees from relocating to a new space?
Employees experienced a change in that they moved from an older space with small rooms into a restored, corporate building with an open plan.
