The Castillo Mobile Office: Redefining Flexible Work in Compact Spaces

A Mobile Office in the Heart of Buenos Aires

The “Castillo Mobile Office” stands in the courtyard of a private home in Buenos Aires, offering a unique model for contemporary workspace design. This innovation challenges the conventional idea of fixed offices, demonstrating how a small space can combine flexibility and practical functionality at the same time.

Smart Origami-Inspired Design

The design evokes the spirit of architectural origami, as the components are prefabricated to arrive separately and then interlock in a single day using simple tools such as a screwdriver and screw fasteners. This approach reflects the design’s ability to quickly adapt to different locations without requiring complex construction setups.

Openings and Natural Light Utilization

The facade features four removable panels that define strategic openings for light and air, enhancing the sense of openness within the space despite its small size. Additionally, the curved roof caps the structure, directing rainwater efficiently while evoking the traditional architectural curves characteristic of buses in Buenos Aires, showcasing building creativity.

A Mobile Base for a Flexible World

The entire structure transforms into a mobile unit thanks to a wheeled base, allowing the office to be easily moved from the backyard to the rooftop or from a residential plot to a rural site. In this way, the project embodies the idea that architectural design can be mobile and functional without losing its identity or quality.

Craftsmanship and Quality in a Temporary Office

What makes “Castillo” remarkable is its commitment to high-quality craftsmanship despite its temporary nature. Each joint in the structure requires its own insulation and mechanical connection, turning the project into an exercise in layered logic and meticulous component organization. These details reflect the design’s respect for function over form, distinguishing it from the conventional concept of temporary offices.

Custom-Designed Interior

The Morsa Taller team, in collaboration with the Santiago Lignini workshop, crafted each interior element specifically, from carpentry to storage systems and equipment mounts. The final result resembles less a mobile shed and more a livable machine, where interior shapes follow functional requirements rather than adhering to external architectural traditions.

Practical and Innovative Approach

The structure draws on Morsa Taller’s expertise in material exploration and object-based construction, under the leadership of architect Alejandra Esteve, who describes herself as both designer and welder. This hands-on approach flows through the “Castillo” project, where metalworking expertise transforms into precise modular joints, enabling both independence and integration simultaneously, creating a coherent and flexible design experience.

The Mobile Office and the Contemporary Work Experience

Currently stationed in Buenos Aires, the “Castillo” mobile office represents a tangible shift in how workspaces respond to contemporary work patterns. Unlike traditional offices, it does not confine professionals to fixed addresses; instead, it follows them, adapting to changing needs without sacrificing quality or comfort.

Smallness as an Opportunity for Creativity

The seven-square-meter footprint proves that smallness does not mean compromising on quality or functionality. When constraints are treated as creative fuel, small spaces can provide a rich and efficient work experience without feeling cramped or sacrificing comfort.

Design Flexibility and the Spirit of Architecture

“Castillo” demonstrates that architecture can be nomadic in its movement and mobility without losing its essence or becoming provisional. It also highlights how prefabricated design can maintain a sense of openness and integrated functionality, achieving a balance between efficiency and beauty.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The “Castillo” mobile office can be seen as a model that demonstrates the potential of design in utilizing small spaces while providing flexibility for contemporary work. It allows for easy relocation and responds to various needs. However, the project raises some questions regarding long-term practical sustainability. While its small size and mobility offer an innovative experience, users may face challenges related to enduring comfort, sound insulation, and the ability to accommodate intensive work requirements in different environments. Additionally, reliance on prefabricated units and precise mechanical joints may limit its adaptability to major changes or future modifications. From an architectural perspective, this project serves as a valuable example for rethinking the design of temporary or flexible offices, while also highlighting the need to balance innovation with practical and functional considerations to ensure long-term usability.