Audioteka Office & Studio Interior in Basanavičiaus str. Vilnius, Lithuania
Category – Interior
Location – Basanavičiaus street, Vilnius, Lithuania
Area – 61m2
Status – Built
Client - UAB AMK
Architect – Tomas Milkamanavičius
Photography - Andrius Stepankevičius
Year – 2022
Context
The headquarters of Audioteka.lt are located in the busy Basanavičiaus street, in the old town of Vilnius. An active cultural and social life takes place in a densely populated historical environment. The Mo Museum is nearby, there are plenty of cafes and bars around, offices are located on the ground floor residential function starts on the upper floors. The headquarters have a convenient connection with the busy Basanavičius Street, but at the same time, they are located near the park, which opens up to peaceful views of the urbanized nature.
Concept
The main element that reflects office activity is sound. It is expressed through various architectural means, the main of which is the white vertical wall of wooden segments. Starting in the office space and creating the background for the illuminated sign, it is shaping a meeting space as well. The wall is extended in another room, where, under the influence of sound, it turns into a wave forming an audiobook recording studio. In this way, both rooms acquire a unified identity and a new organic volume within the volume is born. Another detail embodying sound is the covering segments of the heating system, which interprets the design of vintage audio speakers.
Atmosphere
The interior is designed by prioritizing the most important values around which the concept is formed. One of them is the panorama of the Old Town of Vilnius, constructed by the tree tops that open through the large-format windows. The other is a meditative work environment that encourages concentration and creativity, and next to it are playful and stimulating meeting spaces. Bright and calm, emphasizing the views of the park and shaping spaciousness, the atmosphere of both rooms changes radically inside the recording studio. It feels like entering a different world as you are greeted by a dark and soft environment, which is designed around a stage analogue. The spotlight here emphasizes the artist recording the audiobook and the text that is being read.
Materiality and sign
The spaces are dominated by greyscale colours and there are no leading materials. Great attention was paid to the acoustic parameters of each material, which was more important than the visual properties. The hard and "sounding" material of the ceiling net is harmonized by a soft carpet, and a plastic absorbing foam material was chosen to break up the sound. The colours are brought by the furniture that communicates the visual identity and the signage is emphasized with the help of lighting. Details such as book covers and plants are highlighted. Like paintings, the spaces are given meaning by the views of the tree park and the old town of Vilnius.