The Expogas offices project takes place in an industrial building that included a disused office space and a storage area, this building being considered as a secondary part next to offices that had been in operation for over 50 years. The intervention seeks to revitalise this undervalued space, incorporating human and natural life through a holistic approach that transcends the mere sum of its parts.
The project is composed of several key elements:
Interior Garden: the heart of the project is an interior garden. A module is built that houses service areas inside (facilities room, archive, cafeteria and toilets), but on its upper floor it becomes a large garden that opens up to a double height. This space is enhanced by covering the module with mirrors on its perimeter, creating a sense of buoyancy and highlighting the vegetation on the construction.
Preservation of the Industrial: The industrial essence of the building is maintained, leaving the existing roof and installations visible, which are covered with thermal insulation and yellow painted plaster to highlight their character. This approach preserves the connection to the industrial origin of the building.
Art installation: To honour the company's history, a gallery is created on the ground floor displaying photographs from the company's founding to the present. In addition, a space is designed under the stairs and the ramp where a curtain of chains with the print of the gas station is placed next to the offices, together with neon lights that represent the action of putting gas in the tank.
Communication Nuclei: The communication cores are enhanced by weaving stringcourses into the stair and ramp railings, adding colour and visual attraction.
Façade: The façade is significantly modified. It is painted blue-green and a layer of perforated aluminium is placed to provide privacy during the day and reveal the illuminated interior at night. In addition, two constellations are created through superimposed skylights, Sagittarius and Aquarius, related to the client and the coastal environment.
Interior design and lighting: Specific pieces of furniture are designed for the offices and appropriate lighting is planned. Overhead lighting highlights the industrial structure and installations through the deployé ceiling. Lamps above the desks provide functional lighting, while in the double-height area they are doubled to illuminate the entire space in its volume.
Together, these projects not only define the space individually, but their interrelationship creates a pleasant office environment connected to nature. This approach influences the way of working and understanding the environment in which the company developed, fusing industrial history with innovation and natural beauty.