AKQA’s creative office space in Sao Paulo, Brazil has been awarded the prestigious World Architecture Community Award, which recognizes remarkable projects that inspire exciting questions about contemporary architecture.
AKQA Casa was designed by architects Estudio Penha in collaboration with Hugo Veiga, Diego Machado and Ajaz Ahmed from AKQA.
“Being recognized as one of the winners of the 24th Cycle of the World Architecture Awards acknowledges the impact our studio took to create the perfect home for AKQA,” Vitor Penha, representing the architects involved in the AKQA Casa project said, in a statement. “This award defines the courage we had in proposing the architecture environment and contemporary necessities needed to build the most inspired space.”
Nestled between the bohemian neighborhood of Vila Madalena and the green Alto de Pinheiros, AKQA Casa was designed to be a community-focused workplace that’s open and inviting, and made to feel like a home away from home.
The architecture of the two-story AKQA Casa emphasizes domestic scale and character creating a space that includes gardens and patios with an elaborate collection of brise-soleil formed from vintage iron gates and railings. The Casa is equipped with sustainable systems including solar panels, rainwater storage for reuse and energy saving LED lighting. To create a visual unity, natural materials like iron, leather, reclaimed or certified wood, stone, marble and fabrics with neutral shades are fused into the interior.
Executive Creative Director Hugo Veiga said: “AKQA Casa is not an office, but a home. We’re very excited to have won this prestigious award, but more honored to have the chance to spend a great part of our days inside such an artful place.”
AKQA Casa’s progressive workspace invites the creative community to celebrate art, science and the human spirit. Reflecting the cultural reference points that inspire AKQA’s work, the Casa features an auditorium and gallery that hosts a program of events, lectures, talks and performances with artists, authors, athletes, chefs, scientists and entrepreneurs.
“The central theme to our studios is a soulful space that invites clients and cultural influencers to be an integral part of the creative process,” stated Ajaz Ahmed, AKQA CEO. “This sense of wellbeing and physical collaboration is reinforced with a club-house feel that combines rustic, natural elements with a timeless interpretation and a celebration of each site’s unique history.”
Architects: Estúdio Penha
Interior design:
Brazilian iconic and contemporary furniture pieces by Sergio Rodrigues, Lina Bo Bardi, Jadar Almeida, Marcus Ferreira, Felipe Protti and Estúdio Penha.
Scandinavian furniture by Hee Welling and Hans Wegener.
Lighting by Fabian Dumas, Ingo Maurer and Tom Dixon.
Structure: brick walls, metal structure, cast-in-place concrete, 3 stories, 1 garage
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Design and construction period: 2014-2016
Photographer: Tuca Reinés
