Civilivn, a New York-based creative studio, renovated the interiors of a 1930s manufacturing building to host the offices of Newlab, a community employing robotics, AI and material science in various fields including health and environment. Newlab recently led a program that uses a sensor-based technology to ensure safety at work during the pandemic.

Located at 77 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn, not far from the company’s headquarters, the 2,787 sqm space provides six floors to accommodate the entire Newlab community. The ground floor includes a reception, conference room, lounge and wellness area, while the upper floors house the actual offices, featuring an open-space with single or modular workstations, breakout areas and private meeting rooms.

The studio maintains the original industrial structure – columns, masonry walls, ceiling beams are still visible – and creates a connection between inside and outside with the insertion of large glazed openings. At the entrance, the reception table is custom-designed and consists of a series of painted plywood tubes supporting an aluminium surface. In the background a wooden wall is inspired by American artist Donald Judd.