Retreat Artchimboldi in Sant Lluís, Menorca | Spain

The company Artchimboldi, which was founded in 2007 by Anna Truyol, offers premises to design-oriented companies in which they can hold meetings or take part in team building activities. After two locations in Barcelona, a former girls school in Sant Lluís on the island of Menorca is now the third home for the company.

It was the aim of the architect Emma Martí not to conceal the original character of the building through the renovation but rather to keep its historical atmosphere from the year 1900. To achieve open floor layouts with natural lighting, everything which did not belong to the original structure, such as non-load bearing walls, was removed. The minimalist approach enables the retention of the sandstone walls which were only painted white. This ties in with the simple, polished concrete floor which forms a contrast with the furnishing of the cubes and fittings in pine. The ceilings with their wooden beams were retained so that the rooms have a height of up to six metres.

The ground floor was designed as a living area and kitchen with access to an outdoor terrace. The interior design consists of customised kitchen furniture made from varnished wood and a combination of tables of different formats, which were designed by Artchimboldi and form a large surface for mealtimes, meetings and work areas. The first floor was conceived as an unconventional relaxation zone. Eight sleeping cubes were fitted with futons, sheets and curtains. A ladder enables access to the roof of the cubes where it is also possible to sleep. Thus an oasis is created which is far from everyday life and whose inviting atmosphere stimulates communication and promotes creativity. The electrical equipment was implemented consistently with surface-mounted switches. The conscious contrast of the switches and sockets from the LS CUBE range in white is part of the concept.