YU-LINK
Interior & Branding // Shanghai. China


Yu-link is a global design project for a Co-working space commissioned to Polifactory in late May 2013 by young and dynamic company that wants to change the work habits of its employees and the people who rely on their ideas, so they have already great success on their business so far, and they require a professional design solution from us.

The project entirely encompasses:
- “Naming” of the new company.
- Identity, logo & typeface (ad hoc).
- Project´s Concept at all design levels.
- Overall project construction plans.
- Detailed study of electrical and lighting.
- Detailed study of different spatial distributions for each workspace and offices.
- Materials and furniture to use.
- Design of specific furniture storage.
- Specific vinyl graphics design for all spaces.
- Monitoring of work and suggesting solutions.
Yu-link | Interior design & branding Shanghai
Hous.E+
Project // Canada


Hous.E+ is designed to create not only a resourceful building regarding energy efficiency and sustainability but also well equipped to actively respond to future demands of smart grid systems where energy surplus is distributed and agriculture within the city is a reality. In this house water is not only stored and re-used but also is part of a energy cycle that generates power throughout a series of wall embedded micro hydro-turbines. Unnecessary transportation of materials is avoid making a significant difference into the overall carbon foot print emission balance. Hous.E+ is build upon a rammed earth wall technique that is unaffected by rain, fire or pests, plus it doesn't require any further finishing. The walls act like breathing structures, allowing air exchange without significant heat loss, working naturally as a thermal mass, storing heat in winter and rejecting in the summer, eliminating the need for air conditioning. Hous.E+ is set to produce more energy than it consumes.
Hous.E+ Project | Canada
Abelardo Lafuente Research Project // China

In August 2009, Polifactory senior architect Alvaro Leonardo discovered the first clues about the presence of Spanish architect Abelardo Lafuente, who lived in Shanghai during one of Shanghai’s golden ages during the early 20th Century. Since then Leonardo has continued to shed light not just on Lafuente’s life and works in Shanghai but also the cultural ties between China and Spain during that era. The research is part of an on-going project that is constantly growing through the discovery of new information and greater interaction with those eager to learn more. With the support of the Cervantes Institute, Leonardo leads monthly tours around the city to show and explain the history of Lafuente’s buildings. The plan is to continue the research and ultimately build a transmedia experience linking the Spanish and Chinese cultures.

SEE THE VIDEO
Abelardo Lafuente Research Project
Hakimi Milavec Gallery
Competition // New York


In order to create a new identity to the gallery and unfold an unique urban experience, the idea explores simple design yet able to generate powerful outcomes. This in-between space is set to be embrace the foggy boundaries of privacy and property, where public and private are no longer defined by physical barriers but overlayed.

The space result is generated by the same elements that previously defined this area. Offsets from the original main entrance are layered over and followed rectangular subtractions of shapes featured from the main skin of the institute. The choice of material regards 2 aspects: sustainability and transparency. This tangible materiality is established by steel meshes, which are commonly used for construction, and therefore 100 % reusable.
Hakimi Milavec Gallery Competition. New York
Urballoon // Italy

During the 2010 Milano Design Festival, Esterni ran an international competition to rediscover the importance of public spaces and attract designers and architects from around the world for its Public Design Festival 2010. In this competition, Polifactory was a finalist out of more than 70 entrants.

Our entry centered around using a low-cost helium balloon to call attention to temporary spaces frequented during daily life. The balloon, which could carry advertising or other publicity, was anchored by cords hanging to the ground which designated the perimeter of the space. Called the Urballoon, our invention could be used in a variety of public spaces including a public transport stop, a bar’s outdoor patio, a show room, and a bike parking station among others.  
Urballon concept | Milan 2010. Italy
Pedro Almodovar Tribute
Sculpture // Spain


In 2008 there was a competition to honor the career of Pedro Almodovar in his hometown, Calzada de Calatrava, Spain through the creation of contemporary sculpture in its main plaza. The competition winner was Enproyecto Arquitectura which tasked Polifactory Founder and Alvaro Leonardo to be the lone engineering consultant, to execute the structural and construction design processes. The sculpture is an elevated concrete span 15 meters long with a robust and heavy body to frame the La Mancha landscape visible in the distance. Through a variety of engineering strategies and techniques, Leonardo was able to devise a plan to lighten the concrete in the overhead beam and ensure the sculpture could be constructed.
Almodovar Tribute Sculpture | Spain