Molkenstrasse 21 By Bureau De Bank And OOS

The design of Molkenstrasse 21 – a complete renovation of an office building in Zurich – is the result of an international collaboration between Dutch designers Bureau de Bank [interior and furniture design] and Swiss architects OOS [architecture and interior design].

The client, Nest Sammelstiftung, is an ecologically-responsible organisation, and sought a design to match this mentality. Based around themes of nature and growth, the focus of the project was to add a brand-new level to the existing five-storey building to spread the design over the top three floors, while using only certified sustainable materials and service systems.

A sectional view of the building shows a tiered progression of earth, forest and sky as you ascend through the levels, forming three distinct colour schemes and treatments of space. The lowest level [earth] is a series of horizontal ‘strata’ elements in rich tones. As this is the conceptual base of the office, the heavier textures, colours and materials ground the design. The middle level [forest] is a series of vertical elements, contrasted with translucent green tones, alluding to the image of light shimmering through leaves in the sun. This space accommodates offices as well as the main reception, the latter of which was designed as a continuation of the ground up to the furniture. Construction throughout the highest level [sky] is based on the idea of a cumulus cloud, with prismatic angles helping to divide space and break up the cooler-toned colour scheme. Furthermore, a mix of high-gloss and translucent furniture plays on the idea of light and reflection.

The office layout strengthens the concept of nature used throughout the entire building, where custom-made furniture appears to grow from the ceilings and floors like stalactites and stalagmites. Lighting also plays an important role in defining the space and strengthening the concept. An internal staircase acts as a ‘lightbeam’, creating multihued reflections through the passage, and feature lighting on the top floor is based on the form of a kite.

Posted by Tracey Ingram | Photos courtesy of Hans van Veen (Bureau de Bank)