An
URBAN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT with a difference
Designed and built for Internet Solutions (IS), an Internet services provider for public and private sector organisations, the Ground Up Company was responsible for this urban office environment. IS creates positive change so that more people can experience the power and the possibility of the Internet and now they’ve created an environment for their employees that aims to fuel collaboration and inspire innovation.
T
he initial design brief was to challenge the way people use, and experience, the office environment. The Ground Up Company was tasked with asking questions about what spaces make teams more productive; what spaces encourage collaboration across departments; and what spaces make people feel valued in the environment. During the design phase, Ground Up chose to focus on three core ideas; they wanted the environment to be fresh, they wanted it to be uncluttered, and they wanted it to be stimulating to those working inside of it. The concept behind the design line was a relaxed and homely environment that fits inside an active workspace. The aim is to give each employee the freedom to have a workspace in which they are most comfortable, happy and productive. They may be sending emails from a sofa in the library, they might be discussing strategy at the coffee bar, or holding a team debrief at the community table – the entire area is accessible to any member of the team and each area is
completely different to the next. Because these spaces were intended to flow seamlessly throughout the area, Ground Up needed a consistent base from which to work, which is why they used Cemcrete CreteCote and layered up from there. Persian rugs and leather sofas were then used to create a warm environment that worked well with the abundant natural light that was already flooding into the building. The unpolished off-shutter concrete structure of the slab above was exposed, as well as that of the concrete columns, which are contrasted against the polished finish of the CreteCote. This allowed the Ground Up team the opportunity to add raw timber bulkheads and bespoke steelwork to create an urban office environment that still feels homely and warm. Cemcrete +27 (0)11 474 2415 info@cemcrete.co.za www.cemcrete.co.za
The Ground Up Company +27 (0)11 880 2085
Workplace Design 2019
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