Somewhere, up high in the sky there is one of the finalist projects at the 10th PORCELANOSA Grupo Architecture and Interior Design Awards. A workspace located on the 16th floor of the highest building in Sétif, Algeria, which has been designed by the Archi-Design Sétif architecture studio. Hence, the name of “El Ali”, whose meaning refers to “the highest”.
The project
The objective of the professionals in charge of the project, Seifeddine Boudraf and Achraf Nouar, is to create a business space with a suitable ecosystem which boosts the productivity and performance for the companies, as well as technological start-ups and reputable entrepreneurs. To do so, its 500 square metres will contain open workspaces, private offices and meeting rooms, as well as a reception, a patio, a kitchen, some cabinets and relaxing areas. All of this being framed in a dynamic integrated layout.
The materials
The studio has been designed within a futuristic-styled atmosphere in white, black and grey. It is a space full of aesthetically superior materials capable of offering the best working conditions. One of the most outstanding materials is the XLIGHT extra slim through-body porcelain tile by Urbatek, in other words, a rectified material which has been used in the bathroom through the Concrete Black collection and in other spaces in the Wild Grey, Brown and White finishes.
It is worth highlighting the flooring used in the workspace, where some natural stone pieces by L’Antic Colonial such as the Calgary Classico limestone and the DQS Black; a product which blends natural quartz with glass and high-quality resins. A composition which makes this material highly resistant against scratches and acids. It results in being ideal for spaces with high traffic, which is the case with the offices in the “El Ali” project.
As well as that, one can find Emotions e1.90 Caolín cabinets and kitchen furniture by the firm, Gamadecor. A minimal-styled kitchen, restrained and functional thanks to the module sets designed without handles, therefore, a visually neat and harmonious atmosphere is achieved. This composition, which stands out because of its simplicity, is complemented with the Loop curved spout basin by Noken.
Finally, and with regard to the construction of the project, the installation of the demountable ceilings has been designed with the Steel Grid system by the building systems firm, Butech, whose products have been used for installing the flooring in this workspace.
