Designed by Marià Castelló Martínez with Formentera’s expansive landscape in mind, Es Pujol De Sera is a work-live structure that accommodates a small family dwelling as well as a small architectural design office. Completed in 2011, the building’s central annex contains iroko timber-made cabinetry and access to a skylight which separates the 2 programs with sliding walls and slits in interior walls that allow for the flexibility of private and public spaces to integrate into each other. Extruded planes of the volume on the exterior in the North-South orientation exploit the best views of the site. Using movable screen walls to provide a level of privacy and shade is a simple, beautiful architectural detail as the structure experiences physical changes that one might imagine on such an exposed location. Within the uncomplicated volume of this single-storey structure, the architect is successful in embracing the landscape with its wall-windows and accessibility of the exterior to the interior. I really appreciate the elegant simplicity yet carefully planned layout and program of the interiors which add such a great depth to the style of minimalism in architecture. Photography by Estudi Epdse.

Brainstorming in the offices of Agentur Loop, an Austrian Digital Advertising agency, might be the pinnacle of envy for most if not all creative types. Headquartered in Salzburg, huge chalk board walls display and incubate ideas that are supplemented by a table football (foosball), an electric guitar corner, socializing in the bistro and lounge areas, an outdoor grill and even a supposed soft-serve ice cream machine. Digital Candyshop indeed. Yet the minimalistic interiors are portrayed elegantly with its clean, modern design using just black and white in the architectural finishes, the furniture and even in the toys and peripherals. Full height walls of square glass blocks on the exterior let in a lot of light and give a sense of scale to the large open-plan commercial building where the agency resides in. Modular cushioned cubes of varying heights and adjustable configurations serve as seating within an interaction space, challenging the traditional form of communication that takes place with sofas or arm chairs. The supply of award-winning furniture designer Konstatin Grcic’s Chair One in black furnishes the bistro, tying in a modern and clean socializing space. In my opinion, short of a pool and a rock-climbing wall, the office has otherwise achieved a truly...

The dynamic Belgium architecture firm Govaert & Vanhoutte was recently featured on Minimalissimo with their amazing Villa Roces and when browsing through their website I couldn’t resist highlighting a couple more of their interior projects. However, I highly suggest visiting their portfolio which is filled with modern, minimal designs. One of the projects you see on the left and below is an office space/showroom Govaert & Vanhoutte did for Mercedes in Roeselare, Belgium. Strong graphics on the walls lead the eye throughout and become the main design point that compliments rather than competes with the purpose of the space. The application of concrete, glass and wood floors keeps  the space modern, yet classic. The other project is another office/retail space, this time for a Belgium fashion label San Martino. Again, the use of concrete plays an important role in the concept with white oversized tables and storage units supporting the easy flow througout. The main color element is left up to the clothing itself, providing I’m sure an ever-changing visual treat.

We don’t typically associate law offices with contemporary, minimalist and (shhhh) sexy design. Magically, Jose Gutierrez  somehow managed to do all three with sleek sophistication included in this lawyer’s office in Auckland, New Zealand. Built in 2010, the space is pure joy in the world of simplicity and function. The combination of materials with the minimal use of color is just as striking. A fit-out for a lawyer’s office within a 1920′s heritage building. The brief was to create a clean, simple and elegant office that also had a “certain seriousness” about it. The openness and character of the space was respected and bespoke joinery units were carefully designed and inserted to create the architecture. I know the space probably doesn’t look like this on everyday basis (paperwork and all) but boy do I love it. Who knew law could be so attractive?

This beauty of an office was created by i29 architects for Tribal DDB Amsterdam, a digital marketing agency of approximately 80 people. And as it often happens with the creative workspaces – there were many contradictory aspects to consider. The space needed to be open enough to support collaborative exchange, yet quiet enough to provide privacy and allow concentration. The design had to be cool and playful, yet serious and professional at the same time. The solution came in the use of fabric. Designers explain: It is playful, and can make a powerful image on a conceptual level, it is perfect for absorbing sound and therefore it creates privacy in an open space. There is probably no other material which can be used on floors, ceiling, walls and to create pieces of furniture and lampshades then felt. It’s also durable, acoustic, fireproof and environment friendly. Felt also adds texture, balances out the monochromatic color scheme, and creates surfaces that are pleasant to the touch. It is amazing how many design questions can be answered with one well though out gesture.

Form Us With Love is a Swedish design studio based in Stockholm. They aim to challenge the conventional through design initiatives, following a very contemporary minimalist aesthetic but with a twist of whimsy. Their studio space, divided into three levels (office, studio and workshop) is inspired at once by gallery and by industrial spaces, and – here’s that twist – Lego. I find it a great canvas for their compelling, beautiful work. Photography by Jonas Lindström.

Ion Ander Beloki‘s studio reminds me of these pencil cases I had as a child. The kind where it looks just like a regular rectangular brick case, but inside, had many different compartments, side openings, secret panels, and missiles of course. Well, the Spanish window designer, the brainchild behind ja! studio, designed this amazingly modular studio space, named Caja (box in Spanish), is in the heart of Basque Country. There’s hiding closets of libraries, extendible carts holding couches and work desks, hiding toilets and office space, and all still very functional it seems. Ion Ander comments, It is a work area that can be adapted to the different requirements of the project. Its distribution embodies the suggested program: a convertible and unexpected space created with three materials: American oak wood, black MDF and white MDF, leaving the panel’s edges free of any finishing or application details. Now I’d love to find something like this for my living and bedroom space. Photography by Antonio Macarro.