Tobias Planas

Even though this concept of an office continues to predominate, progressively, companies are starting to understand the importance of a well-designed workplace. An example of this was the project carried out by Tobias Planas at Casa Sayrach. Asked to design modular tables for a venture capital firm, the designer conceived a workspace that is not only ergonomic, but also elegant and deeply inspiring.

Specifically designed for the financial firm, Planas created inventive furniture inspired by the principles of Catalan modernism that characterize the location, bringing to life a new conception of a work office that occupies the unique first floor of Casa Sayrach. In this sense, this workspace bridges art and functionality, featuring stately furniture in solid oak wood that combines technology with artistic aesthetics, bringing contemporaneity back to the noble classics.

Adapting to the current needs without losing the essence of the admired architectural style, the designer explored how the beauty of the organic forms of nature can be translated into contemporary office furniture. Each table has a singular yet familiar character with the others, where they all share a visual harmony based on fluid lines and animal-inspired legs, such as zebras and ostriches. These influences not only bring dynamism and elegance to the pieces, but also allow a functional and aesthetic interaction that elevates the work environment beyond a purely utilitarian space and far beyond the conventional clichés of office furniture to which we are accustomed, challenging the notion that art-design is merely decorative rather than a valued element in the business space.

Three tables with specific characteristics were required: a table with three individual workstations, another with two stations also divided, and, finally, a meeting table for six people. In addition, the tables had to be able to be joined together to form a large 11-seater table without losing coherence in their design.

Tobias was inspired by the handcrafted details of the Sayrach House, opting for organic, non-uniform shapes that allowed the tables to complement each other visually without being identical. This creative approach allowed the modular design to maintain its dynamism, fluidity and aesthetic coherence. By joining these modules together, the tables are transformed into a single oval piece from above, creating a whole new scene.

Located in the heart of Barcelona, Casa Sayrach stands as a testament to Catalan modernism. This building, completed in 1918 by architect Manuel Sayrach, is a clear example of how architecture can be inspired by the flowing natural forms, dissolving rigid lines into soft curves and volumes. This architectural gem provided the perfect context for Tobias Planas to develop his project in line with the artistic sensibility, allowing him to merge contemporary utility with the treasured heritage of modernism. 

Nonetheless, there’s a factor that makes this project even more special: there is no newly manufactured modernist furniture; pieces in this style can only be acquired as antiques. Consequently, creating modern furniture inspired by this architectural style, and specifically designed for a financial firm housed in the iconic Sayrach House, is a rare endeavor that infuses the commission with a truly unique spirit.