Stark Bank

With the mission of reimagining the concept of a financial market company headquarters, Superlimão was responsible for the new office of digital bank Stark Bank. In two corporate slabs, totaling 1,240 m2, the fintech now boasts versatile workspaces – a structure still uncommon in the financial world. The headquarters is spread over two floors: the 11th floor, which houses workstations, formal meeting areas, video conferencing, and phone booths; and the 20th floor, the highest in the tower, dedicated to social and collaborative spaces and spacious areas for meetings, lectures, and even events – internal or networking. "The challenge was to reimagine the bank and its work routine, without the feel of a traditional bank, a branch – because it really isn't," says Lula Gouveia, partner and architect at Superlimão. "Stark Bank was born in the digital age, so we designed the entire project digitally," he adds, referring to the concept, design, and execution phases. Regarding the choice of materials, Superlimão proposed going beyond the conventional wisdom of digital, generally associated with the pure and simple idea of technology. "We envisioned a future closer to nature, closely linked to biomimicry and biophilia," explains Lula. The consistent presence of plants is enhanced by the choice of materials (such as wood and natural stone) and organic shapes. The architecture also plays with the concept of virtuality. On the 11th floor, mirrored compositions propose a parallel between the real and the virtual. The reflections also function as elements that give the spaces amplitude, multiplying the views of the environment, rich in greenery. In the bathrooms, generous slabs of natural Brazilian stone form layouts, creating designs that border on the natural and high-tech. Stone cladding also appears on the rooftop, shaping a countertop with recessed lighting that highlights its natural patterns. Its organic design echoes the furniture, much of it designed specifically for Stark Bank's headquarters. The rounded benches, complete 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 "switchknife table": two wooden tops, equipped with casters, can be arranged (or not) to accommodate teams during collaborative moments. When 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 kind of control room, used for meetings that require discretion. Design and manufacturing technologies: unique design, assertive execution, and agile installation To reinforce the connection with the fintech's technological nature, Superlimão utilized digital technologies in its design, such as parameterization and generative architecture. The entire project was modeled using Grasshopper, Rhino, and the Python operating system. In execution, digital fabrication is performed using CNC cutting. In other words, the files generated by the software are sent directly to the cutting machine, which then processes the parts. This aspect highlights other advantages of using design and manufacturing technologies: assertiveness in execution and agility in installation. The standout element is the wooden slat panel, which runs throughout the 20th floor and serves various functions. Designed parametrically, this panel comprises the pantry area, workbenches, benches, and bleachers, always with rounded shapes for an organic touch.