Page 23 - Designing Ways 247

The project The far end of the bay opens out onto a Standout pieces include the reception
The main aim of the project was to walled patio that originally served as a desk and room divider in the waiting
give XAPO – a company that operates gun powder storage facility at the base of room of the banking area, which were
wholly in the digital domain – a physical a defence tower. With a garden wall and created with an interwoven composition
headquarters and presence. The company BBQ area, the patio was conceived as much of earth-coloured, semi-circular shapes.
occupies two arched bays of the barracks for leisure as for work, or for occasions The supports of the robust boardroom
complex – measuring 800 square metres in when the two activities combine. The table resemble giant amphorae, a form
total – constructed in local limestone, with office of XAPO HQ is clustered around echoed in podiums placed in the shallow
ceilings supported by original wooden the patio, partitioned by glass screens for pools. The textile upholstery for the softly
beams. The original beams and the stone transparency and fluidity. rounded Lagranja-designed furniture
walls were cleaned and restored to their was chosen for its natural composition
natural state, providing the space with the Ingenious furniture and details made to and warm colours, instilling an inviting
feel of an ancient bank vault. Using the order contemporary-living feel within a new
intersection of archeology and modern The majority of bespoke furniture breed of corporate space.
design as a starting point, Lagranja studio was 3D printed in Barcelona using bio
has restored and reinvented the bays corn-based plastic. Modular in form and About Lagranja Design
with a contemporary office layout, and gently textured in appearance, the idea Founded in 2002, Lagranja is a
furniture and décor made with digital was to create a sense of community and multidisciplinary design firm whose
processes; a metaphor in itself for the a casual narrative where all spaces are talents are primarily focused on creating
rapid, tech-driven transformation of harmonious. interiors and products. After almost
banking and currency.

The interior design scheme
Harmony, functionality, respect for the
structure’s antiquity, and an element of
surprise led the design project. Clients
enter XAPO from the main square to
the bay, which is now a reception area.
Shallow pools flank either side, adding a
counterbalance to the structure’s lack of
height, and lending luminosity to a dark
space. At night, laser beams crisscross
the pools and reception area, which is an
added bonus for the public, who can view
the installation from the square outside.
To the right, and entered via the
original stone arches, is the XAPO ‘bank’;
a number of automatic tellers where
clients can manage their cyber currency
transactions. Behind it is the boardroom
with a kitchenette and lounge area.

dw • Issue 247 23