Plusminus, architecture and light dialogue

This June studio barq celebrated its first birthday, the practice founded by Ana Ballester is located on a central pedestrianised street just off plaza Patriarca in the middle of Valencia. A project based on the practice’s motto “architecture inspired by life itself” for which the architect can count on the collaboration of external professionals and whose aim is to end the year by increasing the work force.

Each job is the result of the way every client lives their spaces, different for every one that defines each project.

Convinced that any single place is never the same for different clients, studio barq seeks a timeless architecture, free from passing trends that can become dated over time and where quality materials, like wood and stone, add warmth and longevity. A personal focus that is evident in the studio, conceived as a showcase for its architecture where the combination of glass and wood elevates the quality of the interior spaces and adds a functionality through different rooms that work separately or in combination.

The studio is defined by a design and layout that reflects the work and different tasks involved in the day to day life of an architect. A space organised around a central work zone connected with a meeting room, a library, an office area and toilet, which aims to communicate to clients the attention to detail and inspire the confidence to entrust their project.

Vibia is part of this singular and bespoke space, lighting the various rooms with the compelling, avantgarde and versatile system designed by Diez Office, Plusminus.

The architect explains that from that moment she knew that she would be using the stylish and versatile design that had been printed on her retina for some project or other. And the opportunity came with the design of her own studio, where, in addition to adapting to the architecture, Plusminus rewarded her with a wide chromatic range that helped her add a touch of colour to the space. “Colour is something I really like to work with,” adds Ballester, who in this case chose terracotta because it also works to reinforce barq’s corporate colour.

In line with the pared back aesthetic that defines the joinery and furniture items with their colourful expression, Plusminus adapts to the spaces where it’s featured thanks to the electrified fabric belt that allows for the free placement of several fittings to create unique lighting solutions. A versatile system offering great compositional freedom which traces a linear abstract architecture which in this case defines the work desks and meeting room tables; and a vertical spotlight belt placed beside the display window to highlight the architectural models that advertise her work.

Studio barq in Valencia perfectly captures the ability of Plusminus to improve the spatial experience using versatile and daring design, where the architecture dialogues with the light. A functional and creative tool that together with its wide range of accessories, gradations of lighting and elegant colours, allows for an endless array of configurations, hanging, chandeliers, space partitions, to adapt to any environment.

Credits:
– Architecture: barq estudio
– Photography: Mariela Apollonio