Next Gen WORKPLACE

NEXT GEN WORKPLACE: CRITICAL SPATIAL PRACTICES

This project anticipates future scenarios for working by female only interior design practices, it takes inspiration from the independent and focused business woman and attempts to achieve a safe and homely environment within the work-place. The Building in which the workplace will be designed is currently a Gin Distillery in Dundee and is category A listed. The location of the building is easy to get to by public or private transport, and it is only few minutes away from the University of Dundee and the city’s restaurants and cafes. The building will see a dramatic interior renovation, currently being a gin distillery, it offers a totally different workplace for employers than that of an interior design practice, therefore renovation and remodelling will have to take place to offer the requirements needed for the new workplace.

To offer those requirements for the anticipated future workplace an understanding of how changes in which the people work must be observed as this impacts the function and design of the space. Frank Duffy, a British Architect and DEGW founder suggests that workplaces should be designed suitable to the emerging technology, economy and work culture of the 21^st century. Looking at todays’ workplace culture it is more about people connecting with other people. This can be seen in many workplaces today such as the The Geodis Offices which is located in Mexico City. It is designed in a way that it is spatially connected, this connection is formed of angular patterns both 3D and 2D that are used on floors, walls and ceiling to highlight areas and thus form a pathway and a connection. Although the colour scheme of the office is dull but the open and airy space encourages socialising. The exhibition ‘Workspheres’ in MoMA, highlights the revolution of a workplace design, and describes that it significantly affects performance and satisfaction. Today, creativity and teamwork are encouraged in a workplace therefore a relaxing environment with energetic vibes is desired.

The encouragement of connecting is part of the concept, mainly the concept of the project is to aid women and raise awareness. The idea of the woman only workplace came from the fact that there are 70% British female architects whom experienced sexual discrimination or harassment. Designing a woman only workplace will create a safe and relaxing environment for women to work in. The main design concept is influenced by Zaha Hadid, her designs are always bold and daring as she uses interesting architectural forms, from angles to curves or a combination of both. Her work reflects to her independent and strong character, such as the Guangzhou Opera House where dramatic interplay in form is achieved, thus using angles in the project is the main inspiration, as the sharp ends of angles and their crisp edges depicts the Zaha Hadid character. The space is also influenced by The Wing which is a co-working space for women situated in New York, it uses soft colours and material to depict the soft side of femininity and offers a homely residential feeling by using comfortable furniture, light-filled and open layout. The relaxing colours and soft materials will balance out with the sharp angular edges and invoke a homely feel. To encourage socialising and teamwork a gathering/open workspace is used. The space features open areas, private offices, meeting rooms, storage and a small kitchen. There is easy circulation around the workplace. The ceiling feature of the 3D angular glass is inspired by the 3D shapes used in the Geodis Offices.