Dezeen Awards interiors longlist

AKQA’s Gothenburg studio has been featured on this year’s Deezen Awards interiors longlist, in the Workspace interior category. Selected amongst 3,500 entries across 91 countries, the longlist recognises the world’s best architecture, interiors and design projects, as well as the individuals and studios with the most impressive output.

AKQA Gothenburg represents the 23rd studio for AKQA. A striking renovation of an old shipbuilding warehouse, the space is situated dockside along the Gothia River in Lindholmen, one of Sweden’s emerging creative and technology hubs. Specifically designed for client co-location the 65-person, 1,100 square metre open floor plan studio serves international clients.

The central theme to all AKQA studios is a soulful space that invites clients and cultural influencers to be an integral part of the creative process. The space provides a sense of wellbeing and physical collaboration, reinforced with a club-house feel that combines rustic, natural elements with a timeless interpretation and a celebration of each site’s unique history.

Materially, AKQA’s new studio showcases vertical wooden beams, inspired by the traditional cladding on Gothenburg’s buildings, while the blackened wood was inspired by the cabins that line Sweden’s archipelagos. Spatially, the interior organises itself in geometric zones fulfilling the function of specific tasks to host clients and teams. Meetings are held in oak-clad rooms behind a Crittall glass screen, a master boardroom rests under a 20 metre black timber-clad bulkhead, and project rooms are housed in a freestanding mono pitched structure resembling a home. A central hub anchors a shared cafe, presentation theatre, and dining tables.

AKQA Gothenburg was designed by architects Amos + Amos, in collaboration with AKQA CEO Ajaz Ahmed. Ajaz said: “Since our inception, AKQA’s architectural philosophy has always been to design spaces that elevate the spirit, inspired with local culture, modernity, sustainability and intelligence.”

Managing Director Ron Peterson said: “Creating an energy-positive space conducive to quality output has been an incredible privilege and responsibility for the teams. High standards, collaboration, transparency, and audience-impact are important for our world-leading clients and their modern audiences. The new AKQA Gothenburg studio helps further our commitment to our clients at every touch.”