Stark Bank

With the mission of reimagining the concept of a company headquarters in the financial market, Superlimão was responsible for the new office of the digital bank Stark Bank. In two corporate slabs, totaling 1240m2, the fintech now has versatile work spaces – a structure that is still uncommon in the world of finance. The headquarters is distributed over two floors: the 11th floor, where the workstations, formal meeting areas, video conferences and phone booths are concentrated; and the 20th floor, the highest in the tower, dedicated to social, collaborative spaces and large areas for meetings, lectures and even events – internal or networking. “The challenge was to reimagine the bank and its work routine, without the look of a traditional bank, a branch – after all, it really isn’t one”, says Lula Gouveia, partner and architect at Superlimão. “Stark Bank was born in the digital age, so we decided to develop the entire project based on digital,” he adds, referring to the concept, design and execution phases. As for the choice of materials, Superlimão proposed going beyond the common sense of what is digital, generally linked to the pure and simple idea of technology. “We thought of a future closer to nature, very much linked to biomimicry and biophilia,” explains Lula. The consistent presence of plants is enhanced by the choice of materials (such as wood and natural stones) and organic shapes. The architecture also plays with the concept of virtuality. On the 11th floor, compositions with mirrors propose a parallel between real and virtual. The reflections also function as elements that give amplitude to the spaces, and that multiply the views of the environment, rich in greenery. In the bathrooms, generous slabs of natural Brazilian stone form layouts, creating designs that are on the border between natural and high-tech. The stone cladding also appears on the rooftop, when formatting a counter with built-in lighting that highlights its natural patterns. Its organic design is in line with the furniture, much of which was designed specifically for Stark Bank's headquarters. The rounded benches equipped with planters are a good example of the conceptual approach: they were inspired by the iconic TWA Terminal designed by Eero Saarinen in New York. Superlimão also designed a “switchblade table”: two wooden tops, equipped with casters, can (or not) be arranged to accommodate teams in collaborative moments. When they are not needed, the tables are “hidden”, freeing up space for other purposes. There is also another hidden element in the office: a secret room, which emulates a type of control room, used for meetings that require discretion. Design and manufacturing technologies: unique design, assertive execution and agile installation To reinforce the dialogue with the technological nature of fintech, Superlimão used digital technologies in its design, such as parameterization and generative architecture. The entire project was modeled using Grasshopper, Rhino and Python operating system software. In execution, with digital manufacturing via CNC cutting. In other words: the files generated by the software are sent directly to the cutting machine, which executes the parts. This aspect raises other advantages of using design and manufacturing technologies: assertiveness in execution and agility in installation. The highlight element is the wooden slat panel, which runs across the entire 20th floor, with different functions. Designed parametrically, this panel makes up the pantry area, work benches, benches and bleachers, always with rounded shapes to give an organic touch.