Kavak is a company dedicated to the sale of used vehicles, leader in the Mexican market. The first step of this unicorn company to regionalize its business was Argentina. For this reason the identity came from the mother company, but it only had the graphic identity development.

Our job was to receive the directives on the guidelines on the functional organization used in Mexico, add the palette of materials, and with all this compose a sober tonal balance that accurately represents the brand. Therefore, we had to develop a tectonic identity linked to the graphic identity generated in Kavak Mexico. This is how we investigated materials that define the brand as is the example of the black corrugated sheet metal, the proposed furniture, lighting, which have been a key part of this new identity.

We explored and developed the resource of diagonals as an expression associated with the letter K, which can be verified from the windows, the lighting layout, and the metallic divisions & vegetation that shape the delimitation of the open space whose areas are divided by the consultation of the sample case and reception.

The office space is located in the former Phillips factory (Argentina) and has a particular factory aesthetic, which was perfectly associated with the tectonic aesthetic that we have developed in the materials for the Kavak brand. The space has a development of 800 m2, mainly diagrammed through the repetition of boxes in the center of the space that divide the openspace areas strategically to avoid the “big space”. These characteristic boxes are clad in white sheet metal on the outside and function as islands, where the phone booths, chill meeting rooms, lockers and sitting areas are located.

The overall space is divided into two openspace for the tech and dining areas. Towards the end of the office layout we found the call center and two large meeting rooms. An area of grandstands and furniture was developed especially for use in chill format.

Kavak es una empresa dedicada a la venta de vehículos usados, líder en el mercado mexicano. El primero paso de esta empresa unicornio en regionalizar su empresa fue Argentina. Por tal motivo la identidad provenía de la empresa madre, pero solo contaba con el desarrollo lo gráfico.

Nuestro trabajo fue recibir las directivas sobre la organización funcional utilizada en Mexico, sumarle la paleta de materiales, y con todo ello componer un equilibrio tonal sobrio que represente fielmente la marca. Por lo que hubo que desarrollar una identidad tectónica vinculada a la identidad grafica generada en Kavak México.

Es así como investigamos materiales que definan la marca como es el ejemplo de la chapa corrugada negra, la propuesta de mobiliario, la iluminación, que han sido parte protagónica de esta nueva identidad.

Exploramos y desarrollamos el recurso de utilizar las diagonales como expresión asociada la letra K, las cuales se pueden verificar desde los aventanamientos, la disposición de la iluminación, y las divisiones metálicas & vegetación que configuran la delimitación del open space cuyas áreas están divididas por consulta de muestrario y recepción.

El espacio comprende un showroom de atención al cliente de 300 metros cuadrados (con una recepción, una sala de reunión y 14 terminales de consulta del muestrario, escribanía), un centro de inspección integral de vehículos para evaluar su estado en ese mismo momento y otros 15.000 metros cuadrados con capacidad para albergar hasta 700 autos del inventario de la compañía.

The challenge of designing work spaces always entails a special reflection on the way in which we conceive activity and the development of work. There is no doubt that architecture, in this sense, has much to contribute to the quality of life of the user. With this premise we assumed the project for the second Ualá offices. The project is organized in two large spaces joined together by a connecting corridor and a courtyard as a lung.

Based on the programmatic requirements of the client and the inherent conditions of the space to intervene – a shed in the middle of Palermo neigbourhood – the decision was to segment the total surface according to needs of use in two levels. This generated a reception area facing the main entrance, that serves as an antechamber to a large double-height space – that proposes a single place organized by work islands. This room plays the leading role in the project, giving the possibility of 60 workplaces, all with visuals to an outdoor courtyard vegetated and a vertical garden.  full of natural light.

The use of the exposed structure is part of a balance between the old building and the new intervention. The black corrugated sheet metal has a contrasting role, due to its character of contemporary material, in relation to the rustic concrete. In the same way the structure of the ceiling painted in white has a very gentle relationship, in terms of detaching itself from the existing structure through the dark tones. This chromatic change allows to understand a gap between the existing and the new intervention.

A large skin of planked dyed wood covers the walls and roof, generating a large clean space for accessories and installations. There are hidden beams, notched, electrical installations, thermomechanics, etc.

Like the first offices, this building has a space for informal meetings and relaxation. Designed as a honeycomb wall, where the interstices with spaces of use, all marked by three different materials, wood, glass and iron.

The decision to use materials, both cladding and furnishings, aims to give the space simplicity and visual calm through the use of noble materials. Both the use of building materials and furnishings, together with the study of lighting (direct / indirect / natural light) and thermomechanical conditions generate a whole that achieves ideal comfort when it comes to conceiving a work space.

Starting from the premise of “the third space”, which describes the concept of a neutral place between the office and home. Areatres was created from the use of materials of simple manufacture and handcrafted creation which offer a conceptual void with identity. This emptiness is formed through elements of the collective imaginary that refer to the home, organized under the spatial idea of a café. The conjugation of these aspects together with communication technology was the final objective through which this space promises to define a new proposal for use, for any passer-by or temporary user in the short or long term.

The space was conceived with industrial aesthetic qualities. The use of neutral materials and colours was the premise. Ceilings of machimbre, pieces of industrial veneer, structure of beams and columns, rustic brick, birch wood, all these materials under a range of whites. OSB slabs (of ecological origin), rustic bricks painted white, form a monochromatic harmony that collaborates with the sober and contemporary idea of a work environment typical of the 21st century.

Arealiving represents the home transpoled to a workspace facing a bright garden. Enriched with floral arrangements, art and its unique libraries, whose identity is born from the activity that each user professes. A place that shelters the spirit of a coffee with home qualities.

areameeting has a configuration of small meeting rooms versioned as possible workspaces. At the same time they propose a volume spatial design that conform different depths to prevent a monotonous wall.

The furnishing is part of a set that represents a contemporary aesthetic idea of wellness and, in this case, well working. The choice of this furnishing refers almost exclusively to the intention of breaking up the concept of traditional working space. Thus, the choice of Eames and Saarinen furnishing. On the other hand, we can also see the presence of Philippe Starck with his bubble, mademoiselle, Luis ghost, price aha.

The lighting provided by Kartell under the design of Ferrucci Laviani, generate a particular charm and glamour in public spaces.  Haworth’s workstations give the space the quality, design and comfort necessary for a user to feel identified in a way of understanding work and image as a whole. All the furnishings and decoration were provided by Manifesto who is involved and accompanied in the development of the project.