Aware Lab

Design Keßler Plescher Architekten BDA
Location Berlin, Germany
It is not only animals — think of insects, fish, or Spanish fighting bulls — that are attracted by colors. Color psychologists, color therapists, and physiologists alike have been trying for generations to better understand the phenomenon of our colorful perception of the world. What is certain is that among the thousands of different shades the human eye can perceive and distinguish, there are some colors to which we respond in similar ways — at least as Europeans. Think of red or blue, as well as black or white. This can be explained partly anthropologically and partly through cultural conditioning.

For design and spatial composition, however, the intermediate hues are of particular interest, as they are not tied to such fundamental messages as “warning,” “mourning,” or “light.” They therefore allow for greater freedom — to experiment, to play, and to communicate something new. In the case of the “Aware Lab,” violet becomes the guiding color. Located in a 120-square-meter former retail space in Berlin-Mitte, it was redesigned by Keßler Plescher Architekten for a company that offers health data analysis based on blood samples. Aware Health GmbH required a location within a frequented urban setting that is both accessible and discreet, creating a spatial environment that connects the service — blood sampling — with a positive perception, consciously differing from the atmosphere of hospitals or medical practices. The interior is now structured with a transparent, street-facing front area, behind which a folded arrangement of inserted walls has been created. Within this structure are three cabins of varying sizes, whose doors are mirrored on one side — allowing visibility outward while ensuring privacy inward. Three staff members handle reception and blood collection here. The materials used, such as glass and stainless steel, meet hygienic requirements but avoid creating a technical or intimidating atmosphere. On the contrary, their careful detailing and almost stage-like scenographic refinement successfully create an appealing ambiance that distracts from the actual purpose — which, after all, involves a small prick. The elegant and distinctive violet naturally plays a central role in this effect.

Details
ClientAware Health GmbH
CityBerlin
CountryGermany
ArchitectsKeßler Plescher Architekten BDA
CompletionJanuary 2023
SectorHealth
Project typeModification/ conversion
Gross floor area m2120
Number of employees3
Solutions
Lighting-
Flooring-
Acoustics-
Workspace Furniture-
Conference Furniture-
Lounge Furniture-
Greenery-
Technology-
Gastronomy-
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