Architects Carolina Rauen and Larissa Garbers are responsible for the design of the headquarters of Construtora e Incorporadora Cechinel, located in the city of Balneário Camboriú, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The 813m² office, on the seafront, has its own sector for receiving clients, suppliers and employees, creating a modern and sophisticated environment, which maintains connection with the surroundings and takes advantage of the landscape as part of the setting.
Last week, the architects were present at the Iconic Awards 2024: Innovative Architecture awards ceremony, held at BMW Welt, in Munich, Germany, where they were awarded in the “Office Building” category. This global award, organized by the German Design Council, an entity with more than 70 years of history, celebrates the best solutions in architecture and design, highlighting works from around the world.
The new office design prioritizes collaboration and flexibility, meeting the evolving dynamics of an organizational culture that values professional autonomy and results. The space has several common areas, such as work rooms, cafes, lounges and an outdoor terrace. Architecture reflects organizational culture and supports company goals. Instead of individual tables, it adopts an open space model, offering a shared environment that promotes social connections and work dynamics.
With views of the city's waterfront in various environments, the space invites customers to enter a contemporary environment that combines practicality, comfort and timelessness. The natural light reflected by the ocean and which invades the office was a key element in creating a light and dynamic work environment. This was the starting point, which allowed us to create a space that emphasizes functionality and efficiency, in addition to providing well-being for the professionals who work there.
On the ground floor are located the reception, waiting lounge, board rooms, workstations and an open space dedicated to the company's engineering and architecture areas. On the upper floor, there is the staff pantry, a library, the presidents' room and the meeting room. The materials used were chosen to interact with the surroundings, without competing with the landscape. Natural wood panels with American oak veneer were used as dividers and natural stones for tops and countertops.
The lounges were designed as living spaces, with plants and large windows offering views of the sea and the trees along the coast. Biophilic design promotes reconnection with nature, bringing benefits such as emotional well-being, noise filtering, improved lighting and a milder climate, resulting in greater productivity. In addition to the surrounding nature, the layout includes modular furniture that adjusts to the company's dynamics, adding versatility and allowing different forms of occupation and interventions in the same environment.
About Rauen Garbers Arquitetura
Rauen Garbers is an architecture firm with more than 10 years of experience and has more than 300 completed projects in its portfólio. Its approach is based on the creation of timeless projects, which combine creativity, lightness and innovation, and are characterized by a pure and profound language of appreciation of natural elements.
Committed to offering clients the best in the architecture and design market, we work with excellence and passion in every detail, developing planned spaces that promote comfort and functionality.
In May 2024, the office received its first international award, the A’Design Award Winner 2024, with “Casa Bosque” being recognized as champion in the Residential Architecture category. This achievement reaffirms the firm's commitment to quality and originality in its projects.
