The challenge
Creating the new headquarters of COTEC Foundation –a leading non-profit organisation fostering innovation for the development of the economy and society in Spain– marked the culmination of a comprehensive journey alongside this R+D institution that began with the design of its annual report and communications strategy.
Besides the need of moving an entire team from a traditional and quiet quarter to a 2-floor commercial building with direct access to one of the busiest roads of Madrid; the new design had to include a multipurpose adaptable space supporting the new working dynamics and the diverse needs of their stakeholders.
The outcome
An accessible and versatile space embracing the vision and values of COTEC that helps drive positive change in the community. From micro to macro, we worked alongside the client to develop a flexible and inclusive proposal that promotes internal collaboration, enhances horizontal work dynamics and is fully configurable according to the different types of activities and events that may take place inside.
As a catalyst for innovation, the workplace is designed to provide digital tools and collaborative environments to accelerate ideas across both public and private sectors. Its open and transparent design at street level also invites external participation, managing to strengthen the links between this foundation and local citizens and fully respond to its vocation of service.
Discovery
An end-to-end strategy for driving growth and innovation
Since 1996, the COTEC Foundation has been compiling an extensive report on the state and evolution of Spanish R&D&I. We were initially brought in to conceptualize and design a publication and communication campaign that would effectively convey their message in an accessible and engaging way.
Our work focused on creating compelling and easy-to-understand data visualizations, shaping the editorial design of the printed annual book, and integrating augmented reality features to extend the experience onto mobile devices—turning static data into interactive content. At the same time, we developed an animated video that enhanced the idea of an artefact rather than a book.
The final milestone in this journey was the creation of COTEC’s new headquarters in Madrid to address the city’s dynamic innovation landscape and offer resources and environments that stimulate technological development and encourage community collaboration. The assignment began as real estate advisors, leading their commercial repositioning and subsequently shaping the vision and execution of their new workplace.
Spaces for work and social activities
Co-creating alongside the COTEC team, we envisioned the new headquarters as a place inclusive enough to satisfy a wide range of uses, with custom-designed spaces for collaborative work and training and with multipurpose, multimedia rooms encouraging face-to-face activities while generating new hybrid and interactive contents and formats to accelerate ideas.
The project integrates two very different uses and spaces both in prominence and lighting: a ground floor for offices and a basement for events. Like a camera obscura, these two floors activate contrasting functions, alternating the visible with the invisible, light with darkness. While the ground floor, open and visible, projects and draws on the outdoor light and dialogue to encourage collaborative work; the “hidden” basement floor is purely social, designed to give visibility to the engine of this foundation through the host of events, training sessions and face-to-face or online workshops.
Look & feel
A custom-made black central element is the key axis articulating the space and allowing an ambitious program within a place with certain geometric challenges. On the working floor area, this element helps filter the flows and divides the zones. On the events floor area, it contains all the storage and mobile partitions to create a completely open space.
Conceived as an easily configurable set with acoustic and multimedia features, the social area invites exchange and to experimentation. This scenario not only helps strengthen relations with members and allies and to develop new channels and modalities of multilateral participation, but also diversifies the organisation’s sources of income without distorting its operation.
The working area at street level becomes a speaker that makes visible the transparency of this institution. Through a large glass showcase, this inspiring environment naturally attracts the curiosity and attention of passers-by, inviting them to witness what is happening inside and calling out for new ideas and proposals.
Neutral and sober colours with bluish touches associated with the brand are fused with oak wood, textiles and metal elements to offer warmth and functionality to the space and are subtly integrated with new pieces of furniture and recycled second-hand ones.
Conclusion
From digital and print communication strategies to fully integrated physical spaces, our work for COTEC reflects a holistic approach—generating engaging, impactful experiences through different formats that support the organization’s mission of knowledge sharing and dissemination.
To culminate this journey, the new COTEC headquarters presents a contemporary workplace that drives transformation and innovation through aa warm, human-centered design balancing functionality and comfort. Studio Banana’s design goes beyond aesthetics: it succeeds at improving the existing work dynamics, fostering synergies between internal and external members and creating, through its showcase, a powerful and inspiring communication tool genuinely linking this institution with citizens and their environment.
