2_3_ScanMagazine_Issue_81_Oct-Nov_2015_Scan Magazine 1 15/10/2015 21:35 Page 36
BSK’s Arcona Exengo design won Best Looking Office 2014 for its activity-based and flexible workspace considering the needs of the staff.
Inventive designs for contemporary spaces Working environments today are not only about ergonomics, but also focused on creating a sense of belonging, commitment and identity. This is key at BSK Arkitekter, a firm working with activity-based concepts for modern-day circumstances. By Malin Norman | Photos: Per Kristiansen
Established in 1966, architecture firm BSK is based in Stockholm with a growing team of currently 50 people including architects, city planners and interior designers. The architects themselves own half of the company and the other half is part of Arcona, bringing BSK even closer to the real estate and construction industry.
for clients’ workplaces in particular, CEO Stina Ljungkvist says: “It’s exciting to view these environments as something else than just boring traditional offices. They need to be more adapted to our modern times with the increased demand for communication, teamwork and creative meetings.” Activity-based solutions
BSK develops innovative concepts for cities, buildings and interiors. The diverse range of projects includes plans for offices and residential buildings as well as facilities for higher education, healthcare and retail. At the core is an aim to create interesting and dynamic environments to help enhance the brand and grow the business for the client. Talking about the changing requirements
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The team works according to an activitybased method when developing new design ideas for clients in order to make sure that the space is tailored to suit the tasks and ways of working, ultimately to be used as intended. Every concept has to meet modernday requirements for flexibility, creativity and efficiency, and plans often include quiet zones as well as spaces for interaction.
Initially, BSK looks at the workflows and organisational structures of the client. “We want to involve our clients in the projects to understand how the office space can help create business benefits for them,” Ljungkvist elaborates. “We are also curious and want to constantly surprise, to create something new every time based on every unique situation.” Leading design innovation The approach has proved to be popular and BSK has won several awards for its solutions, including the striking concept for the PostNord head office in Stockholm. Here the team used a collaborative approach and analysed the situation and needs of the business before starting with the design, and came up with a strong concept that won the international competition for the building proposal in 2000. Work on the eye-catching glass structure was finished in 2004, and it is now a hallmark for how BSK works.