Photo courtesy of yyplusplus + IDC STUDIO.
Red Bull Spain's chosen location for a new headquarters makes perfect sense.
The vibrant Malasaña neighborhood of Madrid blends cafes, restaurants, and nightlife. Its narrow streets and old-city architecture are a haven for students and young professionals. A globally recognized energy drink brand would fit right in.
But before they could do so, there was work to do: the complete renovation of an existing five-story building.
yyplusplus reshapes an empty shell
Photo courtesy of yyplusplus + BELVIL ESTUDIO.
At street level, 13 Calle Hernan Cortes deceives passersby. The building is as narrow as its neighbors, but it stretches the depth of its block and contains 2,600 square meters (28,000 square feet) of occupied space.
Formerly housing the Madrid College of Industrial Engineers, the structure was vacant and essentially hollow when architecture firm yyplusplus got to work.
The firm's objective was to utilize the building's abundance of open spaces while also providing furnishings and partitions that would make the building suitable for the work of 150 employees.
But yyplusplus could not stop at a renovated floor plan and new furnishings. The space would look like an office, but it wouldn't feel or sound like one.
That's because the structure's prior use as an engineering college did not emphasize acoustic insulation. If that wasn't included in this renovation, the offices would be noisy. yyplusplus knew an insulative material was essential, and they insisted that it looked as good as it performed.
Farbocustic® provides insulation and ambience
yyplusplus had initially favored a vermiculite-based insulation for the Red Bull Spain offices, but none featured the right combination of acoustic performance, visual appeal, and cost.
When a contractor suggested they consider Farbocustic from Carboline, the architects recognized a name they had heard before.
On a prior project, yyplusplus had studied Farbocustic gypsum-based mortar. They decided against it at the time because the project was in a small space, and manufactured acoustic panels would provide the needed acoustic dampening more economically.
But Farbocustic was right for Red Bull Spain for a variety of reasons.
From a cost perspective, spray-applied insulation is more economical in large, open spaces. Farbocustic's sound absorption properties match that of conventional materials, and architects across Europe recognize its finished texture and wide range of colors.
And importantly, the material is made with natural fibers and contains no silica. This eliminates an application hazard and helps architects and builders achieve sustainability objectives for construction or renovation projects.
Photo courtesy of yyplusplus + IDC STUDIO.
"Everyone is happy"
The renovation concluded in September 2024. And as of early 2025, Red Bull Spain's Madrid staff had fully occupied their new headquarters.
There's a lot to love about going to work every day in the heart of Malasaña. And because of yyplusplus, the environment inside 13 Calle Hernan Cortes matches the streets around it.
"This is what we wanted," said Cesar Cañadas, co-lead architect of yyplusplus. "It was an empty box, and there was nothing. Now, everyone is happy with the design and implementation."
