The first conclusion, after approaching the space, was that it required a blunt but balanced identity. According to the client's briefing, Arts Studio 16 had to take into consideration painting, sculpture and photography spaces, as well as common service areas, like a kitchen, a closet, sanitary facilities, office and meeting places; while restricted by a tight cost control.
The pavement and outlying walls were kept though wooden and glass volumes were built for the purpose of containing the services within the space. The service containers were aligned and articulated to detach from free working areas which were made of iron and glass upon a metallic platform totally built with iron bars without any finishing or coatings.
Given the nature of the project, MMV Arquitectos wanted to try something new, something that would bring an artisanal, singular aspect to the architecture, like the uniqueness of a sculpture. It ended up being the raw nature of the materials involved, along with the aggregation and subtraction of elements that gave the desired result. For instance, the permanent furniture, designed and built in oak and iron plates, would camouflage amidst that surroundings or, by opposition, a surprising lighting made of moulded metal mesh that stands out while enhancing a pre-existing light vent.