It’s about time I filled everyone in on my current project! It’s a big one but thankfully we’ve been given an extension so I can just about manage to squeeze in a blog or two...
So, our brief for semester two is to come up with a solution for a Business Hub to be used by SEPA. SEPA, or The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, is an organisation in charge of regulating, protecting and improving Scotland’s environment. They strive to make businesses aware of their environmental responsibilities and have the power to enforce legislation to ensure everyone complies.
The hypothetical site given for this business hub is a warehouse currently used by DC Painters and Joiners situated on the corner of Tannadice Street and Neish Road, Dundee. The building is owned by Dundee United Football Club and overlooks the stadium.
Although we are not allowed to propose many changes to the original structure of the building, we are free to use the space pretty much how we like!
The requirements being:
- An entrance and reception
- Waiting area
- Office space for 24 staff
- A CEO’s office
- 4 Managers offices
- A cafeteria
- Toilets
- 2 meeting rooms
- Research Labs to house 4 members of staff
- A library with quiet space
- Storage
Each with their own minimum space requirements!
Quite a hefty project as you can see...
It’s also very important that the finished building be as environmentally friendly as possible.
So where on earth did I start? Well after research into what is involved in eco design, as discussed in an earlier blog, I had a look at current office design.
One of my favourite designs was by a company called HASSELL who won the 2010 World Architecture Festival’s Interior and Fit out of the Year Award for the AZA Centre in Melbourne.
As you can see from the above pictures, all offices centre around a hub on the ground level at the heart of the building. This space is visible from almost every room in the building and includes cafes, a visitor centre and often displays public art. It is this particular feature of the building which drew me to this design. I liked the idea of a building having a centre space where the social areas were all grouped together at an equal distance from all the work areas. I also appreciated that all the work areas looked down onto this space where lots could be going on, creating a positive atmosphere throughout the building. This void of space between offices, along with the lack of dividing walls, gives an open feel and detracts from any claustrophobic feelings typically associated with a typical work space. This creates a less stressful environment, with higher productivity across the organisation due to an increase in staff morale.
From these pictures you can see the use of various different seating arrangements around tables or desks providing multi-purpose break-out spaces for staff. Personally I feel this is a very important feature in any office environment as it allows alternative working arrangements and flexible meeting spaces. A flexible and adaptable space is vital in keeping up with the needs of employees which can change on a daily basis.
I’ll be sure to write up another blog soon to keep you updated on my final proposal!
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