NEXT Technologies
Location: Boston, MA
Project Type: Office
Objective: Design that promotes flexibility, collaberation, and wellness
Overview:
NEXT is a leading home technology company opening a branch in Boston. As a company, NEXT believes in taking care of its employees as they know happy, healthy, employees are a key to success. This in mind, they want to create an office that promotes productivity, creativity, collaboration.
Concept:
NEXT is committed to enhancing the lives of others of their employees. They wanted to pay homage to the city through design. The city is full of nature, art and weathered elements that contrast again the city scape. In the creation of the space these factors well be pulled into the design and space planning. Some of which include the use of plants, color, and the use of new and old materials.
Work Stations
Key Design Features:
Biophilic elements to promote mental wellness
Shades to blue emulate the harbor
Lighting above work stations placed to reduce glare
Glass walls on interior rooms to allow for natural light
Inclusion of both individual and collaborative work areas
Sound dampening curtains allow for privacy and muted sounds in the collaborative zones.
Key Research:
Employees want to go to work for human connection By incorporating residential elements, a warmer more welcoming space can be created to foster connectivity. (Steelcase)
Nature has been proven to relieve stress and incorporating natural elements, or mimicking them can help reduce stress in the workplace (WELL)
Companies are starting to focus on creating a strong workplace culture and believe they can use design as a catalyst. (Forbes)
Today, a lot of companies are taking a more relaxed approached to office design by getting rid of assigned seating and having more collaborative spaces. (Steelcase)
Milaukee Public Library
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Project Type: Teen Center
Objective: Create an inspiring place to local to foster community and learning
Overview:
Located in the Historic Milwaukee Public Library is is You Media, a teen center that encourages community, creativity, and learning. As a part of their mission to create community for young teens, they would like to incorporate technology and modern amenities to create a place teens want to visit.
Concept:
You Media is a highly collaborative space that fosters learning, discovery, and creativity. This youth space embraces history while incorporating modern elements to create a welcoming space. In order to create an inspiring space for teens, the past and technology will be brought together to enhance the lives of those using the space.
Key Design Features:
Space planning was done to consider noise levels (ex. quiet side vs loud)
Calming colors to create a sense of security
Historical references are made through updated art to create interest for teens Modern lighting was used to offset the more traditional design of the teen center
The coffered ceiling not only grounds the space, but have acoustical properties to help aid with keeping sound down
Study Nook
Lounge Area
Process:
Research and case studies to guide the design decision making processes
Create bubble/block diagrams to start creating space plans and get a sense for the space
Keep refining bubbles/blocks, then start creating a rough floorplan including any fixed elements and furniture.
Start materials selections are refine the floorplan
Continue refining until done
SRE Sudios
Location: Hollywood, Ca
Project Type: Graphic Design Studio
Objective: To create a fun, productive workspace that inspires creativity
Overview:
SRE Studios is a graphic design studio that was formerly a music studio. The design business converted the space into their new office. It important that they pay homage to the spaces musical past.
Concept:
SRE is known for the fun alternative graphic design. They wanted to incorporate fun colors and materials to reflect their style and create a fun space people want to work in.The overall theme is Poolside Punk. The design will accomplish by using materials and architectural elements to emulate sitting by the pool.
Key Design Features:
A simple, yet fun color palette creates a lively space without being overwhelming. Band posters are hung on the wall to pay homge to the spaces past Through out the office are tile inlays meant to emulate pools
Curved walls and edges keep the space soft and provide achitectural interest
Floorplan Notes:
Layed out according to noise level, the louder more hight traffic areas are grouped together and the more quiet low traffic are together.
The copy/print area and conference room are centrally located for easy access for employees.
Open spaces are defined by furniture layout and architectural elements.
