Coinciding with the Madrid Design Festival, Sancal will premiere a documentary on the making-of of CoLab.
This independent film, directed by Manu Toro in collaboration with Lucas Muñoz Muñoz, not only tells the story of this project but also reflects on memory processes, creative legacies, conservation, and innovation.
In addition to the premiere at the ILE on February 21st, which will require prior registration, we will organise free-entry screenings at CoLab itself, located at O’Donnell 34. Details about the schedule and how to reserve your spot will be announced soon.
In the meantime, read on to learn more about the project.
Situated somewhere between an office and a showroom, it’s neither one nor the other. It’s a CO-mmunity, a LAB-orator
In collaboration with designer Lucas Muñoz Muñoz, Sancal has brought to life a project that merges sustainability, experimental design, and a deep respect for the architectural legacy of Antonio Lamela. It’s a meeting point that challenges traditional categories of showroom and office to become a creative laboratory: CoLab.
The O’Donnell 34 building, constructed in 1966 as Spain’s first office building, was the starting point. Sancal saw in its original entrance—untouched since its creation—a nod to the solidity of the past and an opportunity for a radically different renovation approach: not restoration, but transformation. This vision resonated with Lucas Muñoz Muñoz’s philosophy, known for his ability to work with existing materials and give them new life. “Creating from the existing” and “Whatever cannot leave, stays” became the challenge that defined the project.
Conservation and transformation—two seemingly contradictory concepts—blend seamlessly in the minds of Esther and Elena Castaño-López and found their perfect match in Lucas’s work. “Discovering a gem like O’Donnell 34 was a stroke of luck, and from the beginning, we knew it was essential to restore its original essence by stripping away all later additions. At the same time, it felt important to tell its story and responsibly manage the waste generated by such a renovation. This is where Lucas became indispensable.”
The choice of Lucas was no coincidence. His background in experimental design and sustainability, with projects like Mo de Movimiento, proved that it’s possible to innovate without compromising ecological principles or exceeding conventional renovation budgets. In CoLab, this approach gained new momentum, as every element of the space was reused, reassembled, or reinterpreted to minimise waste and respect the building’s character.
The process, defined by experimentation, trial and error, and improvisation, required collaboration from an interdisciplinary team. From Zimenta, the construction company, to the Norte Joven Association, all participants brought their expertise. Trust in craftsmanship and horizontal teamwork allowed for ingenious technical solutions that were both sustainable and highly creative.
At CoLab, nothing is superfluous. Every decision is steeped in a philosophy of circular economy that transcends aesthetics to challenge the life cycles of materials. Original pipelines, integrated into false ceilings and floors, were easily dismantled and reconfigured for new uses. Even the least noble materials found new purposes through experimental craftsmanship: burnished metals, renewed plaster, and lighting fixtures that preserve their original essence in new forms.
The absence of moodboards or renders left room for unrestrained creativity, marked by physical prototypes and adaptive solutions. The result is a living space where every corner tells the story of its own evolution.
CoLab is a testament to Sancal’s commitment to conscious innovation. From its headquarters in Yecla, the brand has shown that design can emerge from the periphery and reach the world. Now, with its new epicentre in Madrid, it reinforces its role as an agent of change within the design industry.
It is also Sancal’s showroom, a space where visitors can explore a wide variety of products, both new and classic. The diversity of products on display highlights the company’s ability to combine timeless designs with contemporary concepts, inviting creativity and imagination into every corner. You can see it here.
Inspire, collaborate, and transform: this is how Sancal and Lucas Muñoz Muñoz redefine what it means to create sustainable and soulful spaces.
Visit CoLab!
CoLab is designed as a professional space for architects and interior design studios. Schedule your visit with our Sales Delegate, Javier Mena!
Showroom Madrid.
O’Donnell, 34. 4º izq. – 28009, Madrid. / España
[email protected]
+34 693 944 561
