Collaborative Office Environment Unveiled

Revised Article:

Craving a sneak peek into the future of office spaces? Get ready to dive into an enlightening discussion, graciously hosted by Architecture Today in partnership with the acclaimed Oscar Acoustics. This webinar explored the intricate process of designing top-notch workspaces that cater to modern expectations revolving around health, inclusivity, and wellbeing.

But what's the story behind this endeavor? What complications arise on the social, economic, and technical fronts? And how does the partnership between commercial tenants, office space suppliers, and architects lead to the creation of more than just a plain desk? Strap in, as these questions and more get answered in this exhilarating chat!

Moderated by the brilliant Isabel Allen, the discussion featured a star-studded lineup of professionals, including Billy Choi, Director and Head of Life Science at Allies and Morrison; James Byrne, the visionary Partner at Sustainable Ventures; Carlos Posada, the Principal at visionary Gensler; and lastly, Ben Hancock, the charismatic Managing Director of Oscar Acoustics.

Our Luminaries (Left to Right): Billy Choi, Carlos Posada, James Byrne, and Ben Hancock.

Carlos Posada set the stage by delving into a fascinating partnership between Gensler and global communications titan Edelman to birth its stunning London HQ: Francis House. This ambitious adaptive reuse of a 1900s warehouse not only distinguishes itself from competitors but also fosters a smooth transition for both employees and clients into the next evolution of work. The space breaths life into the company's core values and brand.

By expanding the 3,250 square-meter territory by 930 square meters, Gensler seamlessly integrated eight mezzanines, double-height ceilings, and spiraling staircases to improve circulation and collaborative zones. Sustainability is at the forefront of the design, using 15 percent of the building's existing heritage and embracing both repurposed and reupholstered furniture.

Edelman's Francis House in London: A cutting-edge adaptive reuse project and 'next-gen' workplace designed by the genius minds over at Gensler (Photo courtesy of Vigo Jansons).

Created as a flexible home base to accommodate various workstyles and event formats, the multimodal workplace offers high- and low-energy zones across its five floors, all designed to be adaptable to diverse needs. The London office serves its vast workforce, encourages serendipitous encounters, and cultivates a shared purpose among Edelman's 700-plus employees.

The clever application of macro-zones by Gensler allows Francis House to cater to the needs of both employees and clients alike (Photo courtesy of Vigo Jansons).

Moving forward, Sustainable Ventures, one of Europe's largest incubators of climate technology, spoke about collaborating with architectural practice Material Works to develop their flagship workspace within the grade-II listed former GLC headquarters on London's South Bank. This project brought life to offices, event spaces, innovation labs, cafes, and break-out areas without harming the building's existing fabric or legacy.

James Byrne shared the light-touch retrofit’s focus on reducing embodied energy, promoting adaptable and reusable interventions, using repurposed and reclaimed furniture, and employing natural and innovative materials and processes.

The initial reception space exudes the building's historical charm, with distressed finishes serving as the backdrop for the offices, innovation labs, and meeting spaces (Photo courtesy of Velvet Green).

Hand-picked elements from the history of the building were preserved in this project, emphasizing repairs over wholesale replacement. The exciting finish celebrates the "as-found" character and sets the stage for an anticipated saving of 1,150 tonnes of carbon compared to a typical office fit-out.

Oscar Acoustics' new headquarters, the Oscar Innovation Centre, is a state-of-the-art marvel located on a former cement works site in Medway Valley, Kent (Photo courtesy of Hufton+Crow).

Next up, Ben Hancock presented an insightful case study on Oscar Acoustics' head-turning headquarters building, which rises on a former cement works site in Medway Valley, Kent. Home to not only the company but also several self-contained business units offered to local businesses, this 1500 square-meter complex symbolizes Oscar Acoustics' unyielding expansion.

The Innovation Centre boasts open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, lounges, and products from Oscar Acoustics that create the perfect acoustic environment – a dream destination for curious visitors and impressed clients seeking a firsthand glimpse of the company's impressive collection of acoustic finishes.

Ben Hancock demonstrates the impressive application of SonaSpray K-13 Special in the reception area of the Oscar Innovation Centre which, as you might expect, delivers top-notch acoustic performance (Photo courtesy of Hufton+Crow).

The conversation didn't stop there. Billy Choi managed to steal the show by exhibiting Allies and Morrison's expansive work at London's White City, where they've played the roles of master planner and architect since 2000, tasked with integrating the BBC's massive doughnut-shaped administrative headquarters into a comprehensive masterplan for the BBC Media Village.

The project constituted a symbiotic relationship between the BBC's desire for a new working environment that combined open, flexible workspaces with integrated shops, cafes, and exterior space. This process set the stage for the delivery of a series of high-quality office buildings, most notably Gateway West and Gateway Central, both steeped in sophistication and high community impact.

A lively, open space epitomizes the Allies and Morrison's White City Place project, symbolizing the harmonious blending of modern design with historical charm (Photo courtesy of Guy Archard).

In conclusion, architects play a pivotal role in designing workspaces that balance health, inclusivity, and wellbeing by thoughtfully incorporating key design elements such as natural light and ventilation, green spaces, active design, accessibility, diverse workspaces, inclusive amenities, sustainable practices, community engagement, economic viability, smart building technologies, and flexible infrastructure. This sensitive approach allows for the integration of cutting-edge technologies and materials while catering to the evolving work landscape.

Architects' mastery in needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, and design iterations based on feedback paves the way for the future of office design – a future that seamlessly blends modern sensibilities with enduring quality.

[1] https://www.architecturetoday.co.uk/news/media/watch-the-at-webinar-in-partnership-with-oscar-acoustics-exploring-the-design-and-delivery-of-workplaces-that-are-fit-for-the-workers-of-today-and-tomorrow/

[2] https://www.archdaily.com/918296/7-office-trends-of-2019-that-will-define-the-future-of-workspaces

[3] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-workspace-design-lucy-stewart-april-25-2019/

[4] https://hqmag.com/the-future-of-workspaces-office-of-tomorrow/

[5] https://www.collaborativepilot.org/project/future-design-of-office-environments/

The partnership between Sustainable Ventures and architectural practice Material Works has resulted in the creation of an innovative workspace, using natural and innovative materials to promote sustainability, reflecting the focus on environment and science.
The collaboration between Allies and Morrison and clients like the BBC has led to the integration of flexible workspaces, green spaces, diverse amenities, and smart building technologies, emphasizing the importance of health, lifestyle, and technology in modern office design.
The design of homes, such as the Oscar Innovation Centre by Oscar Acoustics, often combines work and living spaces, encouraging a holistic approach to home-and-garden design that caters to modern workstyles, highlighting the blend between home and office in today's technological age.