Distinct design space

By Rhiannon McGregor 20 : 12 : 2016 A/D/O : Mini : Brooklyn

New York – A new inter-disciplinary space by automotive company Mini will seamlessly combine different stages of the design process.

Designed by nARCHITECTS, the design space will open in January 2017 in Brooklyn
A/D/O will provide a space for designers and the public to interact

The former warehouse will cater for all aspects of design, providing a free communal workspace and fabrication lab for the production of new work, as well as delivering an educational element that will be open to the public in the form of workshops, events and exhibitions.

The building is divided into sections using cement-covered panels. These include large openings that enable visitors to see into the conjoining rooms and move easily around the building, creating the sensation of one cohesive space. ‘The spaces kind of bleed into each other, allowing people who are curious to see what would normally be going on behind closed doors,’ says Eric Bunge, co-founding principal at nARCHITECTS.

A focal point is the large kaleidoscopic periscope positioned to reflect and combine the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines within the building, creating a fluidity between exterior and interior that mirrors the sense of continuity within.

The Big Picture

Brands are bridging the gap between public and private by instigating placemaking projects that support the public’s and designers’ learning and development. For more, see our macrotrend The Learning Economy.