All around the world, designers and architects are using the BAUX acoustic tiles and panels in exiting projects for exciting brands. In a series of newsletters, we aim to introduce you to a selection of projects and the mind masters behind designs of these acoustic artworks. We simply will call these newsletters Interviews #.

This week we have been in conversation with Co-founder and strategist Lucio Kilcher about his alternative workspace – Cospire in Switzerland.

Cospire is a brand-new coworking space in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland. The locale offers 28 fixed and flexible desks, as well as two private offices, a workshop, kitchen and lounge areas. Boasting a modern and stylish interior, Cospire represents part of a growing wave of new, alternative workspaces. As the popularity of coworking and open-plan environments increases, designers note a greater need for acoustic solutions to ensure that concentration is not compromised by sound. At Cospire, BAUX Acoustic Panels were chosen. Co-founder and strategist Lucio Kilcher discusses the installation.

Hi Lucio, you’ve just opened Cospire. What was the goal with this new workspace?
Hello. Yes, I opened Cospire in November 2019 with my partner Janan Shakur. Our main goal with Cospire was to provide a well-designed working environment for the entrepreneurs in our dynamic city of Lausanne, Switzerland. Lausanne hosts two top European universities and numerous innovative startups so we wanted to provide a pleasant space for those smart ideas to grow. We designed our space to be a playground for innovators with different areas to work, collaborate and relax.

What distinguishes Cospire from the traditional working environment?
At Cospire we take care of our coworkers by nourishing our community with events, workshops, training and activities that are generally not part of a traditional working environment. We also offer the diversity of working alongside individuals from industries or professions which differ completely from your own.

What inspirations did you draw on when designing the interior?
Nature was our main source of inspiration. We completely renovated our space, as it was a former car parts shop in an industrial part of the town. So it was important for us to incorporate natural materials such as wood, glass, stone and plants in the interior to create an inviting vibe.

You chose BAUX panels in neutral and pink tones that match the furniture. What role do you think colour plays in the workspace?
Colours play a very important role in the workspace, by playing with different colors we were able to make the meeting room more dynamic and the lounge areas more relaxing. The neutral and pink tones also softened our overall look, so our aesthetic remains industrial yet warm, inviting and fresh.

In the meeting room, BAUX panels line the walls. What should the ideal meeting space sound like?
Yes, we covered the back wall of our meeting room entirely with BAUX panels to increase the acoustic performances but also to obtain a more professional look. Meeting spaces should have a minimal noise reverberation on the speech frequencies, this ensures that meetings are pleasant and phone calls can be made without any disturbing echoes.

Do you have any plans for future coworking spaces?
Yes, we actually just opened another coworking space, Alcove for Lawyers, which is a smaller coworking space for lawyers in Lausanne and we hope to inspire people and have requests to open future locations in Lausanne and elsewhere.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own coworking space?
I would recommend to put your passion in the project and stay true to your beliefs. Your users will notice that and the community within your space will spread your message and support your vision. You will never know how good your idea is unless you try.

Did you choose BAUX primarily for its acoustic capabilities or as an aesthetic addition to the space?
We chose BAUX for the acoustic capabilities, the aesthetic addition, the sustainable material and the color palette that was offered. With BAUX we found the perfect balance between those variables.

Visit the case Cospire case to learn more about the project created by Lucio Kilcher & Janan Shakur. Or visit the inspiration page for other BAUX acoustic interior design projects.