Enjoei Headquarter אינעווייניקסטער דיזיין פון א ביורא

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Researching and understanding Copan's history, envisioning Sao Paulo’s downtown as a force for a more diverse and democratic future, while recognizing Enjoei’s responsibility and daring step in relocating to the historic city center were key insights that shaped the project concept. Layers of reality, desire, poetry, and urban identity were intertwined with the extensive program of the new office, while maintaining spontaneity in the design and respecting the importance of this space in Oscar Niemeyer's work.

Dimensions & Packaging

Area of 2,100m2, focusing in requalification of a floor from the 1950s. Briefing: acoustic quality, numerous meeting rooms, and integrated workspaces for approximately 230 people, within a predetermined budget. The predominance of white in the design creates the desired effect: a floating and futurístic atmosphere.

Tags

Niemeyer, Requalification, Heritage, Sustainability, Reoccupation, City Center

Production Technology

Recycled fabrics were used, and the building’s original finishes were restored. Exclusive designs for the carpets were created, and unique furniture was curated. The aim was to generate less waste by avoiding stripping the central pillars and using the existing subfloor as the final flooring to reduce the need for new coverings. The meeting rooms were designed with low cost solutions that also provide better acoustics, avoiding large glass panels.

Design Challenge

The challenge was to design a peaceful, quiet and innovative space that respected Oscar Niemeyer’s established modern architecture. Additionally, it aimed to demonstrate that revitalizing obsolete buildings and reoccupying Sao Paulo’s historic center were viable through responsible and contemporary architecture. Enjoei meets the architectural quality, iconic solidity and diversity of Copan. These characteristics blend and strengthen each other, with a vision of the city and the future.

Research

The project reflects deep immersion in research about the history of Copan building and Niemeyer’s vision for this space. Originally conceived by the architect as an elevated garden, a continuation of the street without lateral enclosures, with benches, plants and even a florist. The strong connection with the street and the city, the rhythm of the large pillars that brings depth and movement to spatial perception, the vibrancy of the corner curve as a meeting point and the terrace as a permeable area for views and breathing: all these elements shaped the investigation into design languages for the new occupation. Additionally, extensive research into architectural theory and art production was undertaken, seeking ethical and aesthetic references that aligned with Enjoei's DNA and the occupation program, where the ecosystem for the employees is present with purpose and design consistency.

Inspiration

In the heart of Sao Paulo, the iconic Copan building, designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the 1950s, hosts the headquarters of Enjoei, Brazil's largest second hand ecommerce platform. The 2,100m2 project embraces principles of sustainability, innovation, and space requalification, while enhancing the company's interaction with the city, towards a more diverse and democratic future. The design follows an occupation logic that seeks physical and emotional impact by understanding scales and fluidity.

Project Duration

The project started in November 2023 and was completed in February 2024 in Sao Paulo. The construction began in February 2024 and was finished in July 2024 in Sao Paulo.

Operation Flow

The existing terrace was thought as a street for the porpose of the project and it is this what leads to the main entrance to the office, at the central point and the smallest radius of the curved layout. A secondary access is located to the right of the floor plan, near the elevator. The idea here was to create an internal street and provide a sense of tension upon entering the space. In this access, perception unfolds in movement, rhythmically guided by the large internal pillars, with the space gradually revealing itself. Between these two flows, the ecosystem of employees takes place, near natural light and directly connected to these streets.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Joao Paulo Prado
Image #2: Photographer Joao Paulo Prado
Image #3: Photographer Joao Paulo Prado
Image #4: Photographer Joao Paulo Prado
Image #5: Photographer Joao Paulo Prado
Video: Videomaker Felipe Faria