Mixing It Up In The Workplace: Some Very Livable Commercial Spaces
December 8th 2009 07:52
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Last week I started following a few graphic designers on Twitter, and so I am thinking about architecture, interior design and visuality more than usual these days.
Why do the majority of contemporary buildings emphasise rigid square and rectangular shapes? Why is this shape (and its excessive repetition) seen to be the foundation of order, functionality and a 'default' setting for all new constructions? How does this uniformity (especially in the West) encourage consumers of such spaces to think?
Perhaps in a world where every exterior and/or interior was different, a rectangular prism, being a unique and stand-out feature, would be an inspiring addition, here and there. Unfortunately in the meanwhile I associate perfect parallelogram prisms with the very 'box' that I strive to think outside of. I literally enter box after box in my search for new faces, new spaces.
An aside > I think East Asia's tendency to be a bit more experimental with lines, forms and structures on the architectural level is perhaps due to its lack of engagement with logocentrism and the cultural codes of rationality, progress and modernity. Asia has long celebrated smooth, flowing shapes, and this comes through in its contemporary creations, which often feature unique combinations of curves, and a different system of lines. This post, however, is on commercial spaces in the West.
Creative commercial spaces are vital to facilitating dynamic, innovative cultures. Getting away from the norm in tangible surroundings is one of the easiest ways to simulate a recurring atmosphere of unconventional thinking. It is no co-incidence that architectural texts were the first manifestations of postmodern thought in the 20th century.
You will note that these innovative offices belong to companies which are at the forefront of innovation - they have made a conscious commitment to eliciting their staff at their most inventive.
Why do the majority of contemporary buildings emphasise rigid square and rectangular shapes? Why is this shape (and its excessive repetition) seen to be the foundation of order, functionality and a 'default' setting for all new constructions? How does this uniformity (especially in the West) encourage consumers of such spaces to think?
Perhaps in a world where every exterior and/or interior was different, a rectangular prism, being a unique and stand-out feature, would be an inspiring addition, here and there. Unfortunately in the meanwhile I associate perfect parallelogram prisms with the very 'box' that I strive to think outside of. I literally enter box after box in my search for new faces, new spaces.
An aside > I think East Asia's tendency to be a bit more experimental with lines, forms and structures on the architectural level is perhaps due to its lack of engagement with logocentrism and the cultural codes of rationality, progress and modernity. Asia has long celebrated smooth, flowing shapes, and this comes through in its contemporary creations, which often feature unique combinations of curves, and a different system of lines. This post, however, is on commercial spaces in the West.
Creative commercial spaces are vital to facilitating dynamic, innovative cultures. Getting away from the norm in tangible surroundings is one of the easiest ways to simulate a recurring atmosphere of unconventional thinking. It is no co-incidence that architectural texts were the first manifestations of postmodern thought in the 20th century.
Hyves Offices in Holland
Hyves is a popular social networking site for Dutch people
Bright, airy, uncluttered, classy designs create a cute and cosy workplace
Facebook Offices - bold, detailed, dynamic... the employees are encouraged to move around the furniture to their liking
Having a slide (and a pole for pole dancing) installed in your office provides the employee to see the environment from a rapidly shifting perspective as they whirl through space! These kinds of innovation have made Google the most desirable workplace of 2009
The Google offices in Zurich are especially designed to encourage productive socialising in an environment that stimulates the imagination, taking it in all sorts of different ways
Google encourages its employees to approach their activity within its offices with a sense of playful experimentation
Unusual combinations of lines break up the monotony of the rectangles (tangles and the wrecks they induce in their rigidity-inhaling consumers)
Soothing curves and warn neutral colours with a touch of the Orient - a perfect interim space to unwind, gather new thoughts and let old ones go
We're still in Google's offices, and this pod, which looks a bit like a cross between a bee-hive and an igloo, creates a curious space to contemplate, from within or from without
You will note that these innovative offices belong to companies which are at the forefront of innovation - they have made a conscious commitment to eliciting their staff at their most inventive.
JWT Advertising offices in New York City feature a conference room with a curved screen
Carefully chosen, high-contrast and striking colour combinations
"Same, same, but different' - if you're going to work within a squarish architectural creation, you might as well self-consciously highlight it. A colour atypical wall encourages people to think about exceptions to the rule, directing creative energy to unusual and unique paradigms. The final image of JWT offices.
The Selgas Cano offices in Madrid. Spain take advantage of their pretty natural environment and abundant light to create an office that is perpetually looking out, letting the elements be an integral part of the visual design
You may not be surprised to learn that SC is an architectural company
Bathed in light during the day...
... and bathing the night, in a neat reversal. I love that period when daylight starts to lose its hold on society but hasn't quite relinquished it yet, don't you?
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