Highly commended: Sustainable interior of the year 2025. Sancal and Lucas Muñoz have designed the interiors for CoLab, a creative laboratory in Madrid, Spain.

CoLab is a collaborative project by Sancal and Lucas Muñoz Muñoz where, together, they transformed part of Madrid's first modern office building, O'Donnell 34, into a creative laboratory.

"Designed in 1966 by pioneering architect Antonio Lamela, it was both an honour and a challenge," said Sancal. "His son, who continues the practice, lent his support."

By carefully stripping back decades of fittings – more archaeology than architecture – Sancal and Muñoz reinterpreted part of Spain's first modern office building, reflecting deep respect for the building's history and commitment to social inclusion.

As a result, any material that could not be recycled remained.

Judges comments: "Under the ethos "what can’t be recycled remains", Sancal and Lucas Muñoz have found truly fun, playful ways to work with what's available, while bringing measurable benefits to the local community."

Studio: Sancal and Lucas Muñoz
Project: CoLab