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6 July 2018
Asia Pacific boasts some of the world’s leading commercial environments. But is there one that truly stands out as an exemplar? The INDE.Awards says YES!
For the past 20 years, workplace design has evolved at an accelerated pace – especially in Australia. Today’s workplaces are agile and adaptable, with a focus on connection, interaction and collaboration. What modern workers consider ‘an office’ is sharply different now than what it was a few years ago, requiring architects and designers to push boundaries by recognising that the commercial environment should cater for diverse interactions. In order for companies to meet the demands and expectations of prospective employees, it is paramount for design in this space to cultivate a culture embracing productivity and creativity.
According to the Harvard Business Review, people in coworking spaces tend to rate their work places more favourably than those in traditional offices, citing benefits such as more job control and the feeling of belonging to a community. Noticeably, people are spending less and less time in traditional offices – instead, opting to customise their workspaces. Realising that the commercial environment is continually transforming into a diverse space, the intention now focuses on understanding organisations’ ideal attitudes, and designing in accordance to the distinctive set of requirements needed to attain maximum performance.
The Work Space 2018 INDE.Award recognises a working environment that meets the needs of people without compromising on social, cultural or functional aspects.
Presenting the Winner of the 2018 Living Space INDE.Award:
Photography: John Gollings
Synergy, a new establishment for CSIRO in Black Mountain, Canberra, represents a place where science and research unravel issues for the betterment of the industry, its people and the planet. The new collaborative facility encourages scientific research to coexist with contemplative workspaces in a more open environment. BVN’s approach for a workforce that does not usually encourage an ‘open-plan’ environment required a reinvention with a bespoke solution.
BVN aspired to design a research facility that would establish a new benchmark worldwide for the way people work within scientific environments.
“For an organisation that is established and well-respected internationally, our design intent was driven by the desire to give CSIRO a uniquely Australian-centric space.” – Julian Ashton, Principal of BVN
With an amalgamation of site-specific influences from nature and nearby topography, inherited architectural details and the material palette used throughout, BVN emphasised the Australian-centric essence of the build.
“The material palette draws directly from the local landscape of mountains and trees surrounding the facility – like the red oxide oak and the black-charred chimneys that resemble the bushfires.” – Julian Ashton, Principal of BVN
Previously, CSIRO’s capabilities had outgrown their facilities, given that offices were joined by a central corridor and were either occupied by one or two employees only. Its new environment embraces a more space-efficient and effective solution, as well as creating socialised workplaces where scientists can freely share ideas.
The architecture of the building was strategically arranged around the central atrium that connects laboratories to workplaces, with opaque screens ensuring both aural and visual discretion. The central atrium also contributes towards natural ventilation pathways that welcome an abundance of daylight and the flow of constant fresh air throughout the day.
Honourable Mention:
Photography: Nicole England
Melbourne is generally known as a melting pot of cultural influences, constantly thriving creatively. The forward-thinking city instils a fervent loyalty amongst its citizens. With this in mind, Futurespace approached PwC’s Melbourne Client Collaboration floors with a blend of the very best the city has to offer – bringing together all that is quintessentially Melbourne into an energetic amalgam of imagination, technology, innovation and familiarity. The brief was simple, to design an extraordinary experience for clients by taking the best ‘out of industry’ aspects to inform the holistic design.
Managing director of Futurespace, Angela Furguson, expresses the reasons behind the end-to-end evolving design narrative. “The client experience spaces are also about communicating to the world that PwC has evolved from an accounting practice to a professional consulting firm.” Several motifs underpin the visual composition of the new office in Melbourne. Throughout, the space is a blend of digital and analogue interactions that generate experiences both state-of-the-art and human-centric.
“PwC has really understood that we live in a world where people want choice over how they consume – whether that’s the media, experiences, or professional services.” – Angela Furguson, Managing Director of Futurespace
PwC has incorporated technology as part of the client experience, indicating that the role of physical space facilitates both virtual and face-to-face connection to increase business success. For this reason, the project captured the attention of the 2018 INDE jury.
The Living Space INDE.Award 2018 is Proudly Presented by Colebrook Bosson Saunders
Colebrook Boson Saunders (CBS) partnered up with the INDE.Awards to present the Work Space award to the region’s best commercial project. Established in 1990, CBS has developed a reputation as pioneers in workplace ergonomics – with a flair for providing unique solutions that integrate technology with furniture. Inspired by the desire to create spacious, healthy environments for employees in various sectors, the brand is equipped with multidisciplinary design skills encompassing architecture, product design and furniture design. Setting a benchmark for workplace ergonomics worldwide, CBS is the driving force between incorporating technology and health into practical furniture solutions. This prevailing tendency makes CBS a fitting partner for the Work Space Award. Supporting bold, inventive design thinking CBS explores the assimilations of ever-changing workplace demands.
The INDE.Awards 2018 Gala
Photography: Mark Lee
The INDE.Awards celebrate skilful creativity across the Asia-Pacific region, showcasing the most progressive designers and architects who are pushing the industry to new frontiers. With over 400 entries, there was an incredibly diverse range of projects, people, products and ideas presented to our jury. The calibre of entries this year sets a new benchmark for diverse and dynamic design, presenting an optimistic future for the globe’s most populous region.
Colebrook Bosson Saunders and Indesign Media congratulate BVN and Futurespace on the best Work Spaces of Asia Pacific in 2018.
