Sunk in the second basement of an office building, this 1500sqm basement was destined to be the home of a creative center, Video Tape Recording.

The cavernous location immediately enforced a requirement of a dramatic promenade, from the street level, down to the main hall. The visitor is slowly engulfed by  the elements of the project; slowly surrounded by grey plaster walls, patterned reinforced concrete parapets, dramatic lighting, and full height glass panels, all leading to  the gateway of the project. In fact, stepping onto the premises, the visitor feels a continuity with the experience witnessed going down. This is completely intentional. The drama of the descent is repeated in the huge back lit wall that faces the visitor upon his entering.

This central space is the heart of the project; it is first a great hypostyle hall lobby; second it acts as a lounge bar for the staff, clients and visitors who spend a lot of time in this editing facility. Third it is the main distribution space to the internal functions with administrative offices on one side and creative departments on the other; finally, with its raised wood deck, it acts as the main waiting area for new clients who, coming in for the first time and resting on the low cube sofas, take in all that awe.

Simple concrete floor finishes, painted and plastered walls, contrast with sensibly located lighting, and neat details; all contribute into transforming the shunned basement into a trendy and pleasant workplace.