Bringing the past up to speed

The Canòdrom is a rationalist building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Bonet i Castellana in 1961 in Barcelona. After its refurbishment in 2016, deardesign won the competition to lead the interior and furniture design, corporate identity and signage.

The design challenge was to adapt the facilities of a former greyhound stadium into its new function as a flexible and dynamic space for startups and technology companies within the creative and cultural sector.

The central design idea was to respect and honour Canòdrom´s beautiful architecture and at the same time to develop a flexible and modern office concept that promotes interaction amongst the users.

The visual identity features concepts of speed, movement, progress and technology, the graphic result is the irregular decomposition of the corporate typeface. Warm materials like wood are used to contrast with already existing structures to make spaces become more comfortable and pleasant. The intention of the Creative Research Park is to be a benchmark space in the city and to be spot in the international cultural landscape. Therefore its strong visual identity.

Based on the concepts of speed and movement, the corporate building image combines the greyhound track’s past use and the new function as Creative Research Park.

As for the numbering signage the same movement concept is used, being a reminder element (greyhound’s number), and paying a tribute to the original use of the building “Canódromo Meridiana”, a part of the neighborhood‘s historic memory.

The Greyhound Track Intervention is not only about signage and graphics but also about interior design. It respects the original design of its architects Antonio Bonet and Josep Puig, FAD Award in 1964, and is combined with both new designed and chosen furniture and decorative items.

The Creative Research Park is an open space for research and creativity. A space for the city and the citizens. It was suggested to include technological interventions so the district could experience the building, becoming a meeting point beyond professional use.