The design for Andreu World’s HQ and new showroom in Valencia by architects ERRE and Francesc Rifé Studio brings a Mediterranean sensibility to a space created for flexibility
To celebrate its 70th anniversary, Spanish furniture brand Andreu World – which is at the forefront of responsible design and manufacturing in the region – has renovated and expanded its headquarters on the outskirts of Valencia. Architecture firm ERRE, led by partner architects Jose Martí, Amparo Roig and M. Ángeles Ros, was tasked with the expansion of the central offices and the addition of a spacious new showroom, with interiors by Francesc Rifé Studio.
The updated complex comprises 6,500 sq m distributed across three levels. On the ground floor, a cantilevered volume lends monumentality to the main entrance, leading into the lobby, which is a double-height space illuminated by two large windows overlooking the garden and the mountains. The upper level primarily accommodates offices and meeting rooms, and a walkway connects the existing building to the new showroom. “Flexibility was one of the key principles guiding the architectural design of the showroom,” the architects tell OnOffice. “The spaces are defined by pure geometries that allow for open layouts and minimise physical barriers, making it easy to rearrange furniture displays as needed.”
The offices and showroom are in close dialogue with the outdoors. In the surrounding gardens, pergolas have been incorporated to display outdoor furniture amid lush native plants. “From the beginning, we wanted the headquarters to feel like a natural extension of the landscape, taking full advantage of natural light and views while introducing open, welcoming spaces, such as the outdoor amphitheatre designed to host events and informal gatherings,” say the architects.
Materiality was a key consideration for the project. The new volumes are built using Rudolph block, a prefabricated concrete element with a rough texture and a natural off-white tone. The same material was used to clad the existing building, including its curved wall, bringing unity and coherence to the complex. There is plenty of timber in the interiors, which adds warmth and tactility.
At the construction level, the focus was on simplicity and precision. “Prefabricated elements like beams, columns and slabs helped streamline the construction process, reducing both the time required for completion and the environmental footprint,” they add. “This approach not only fit the project’s sustainability goals but also allowed us to maintain high standards of quality. We regularly work with prefabrication – it’s a method we trust to deliver precision and speed.”
Imagery courtesy of Andreu World
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