Exhibit: Design Junction and Designers Block

Photography: After Hours East London

Exhibit: London Design Month - Super Brands London and Tent 2012

In London? - Haven't been to check out the SuperBrands London and Tent 2012 exhibit yet? - There's still time! -  Exhibit ends on the 23rd of September 2012! If not, here's a very brief snapshot of just a few of the fantastic products/designs on display!

First day indulging in the pop-up design spectacles of London brought on a waft of intrigue and excitement. Whether you are in the trade or not, the mixture of international and local exhibitors showcasing the current trend-setting interior products of 2012 has certainly been a primary source of stimulating inspiration. The unique interpretations of form, texture and colour were all individually outstanding amongst the gallery of "furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, materials and accessories"(www.superbrandslondon.co.uk). Having previously exhibited at the Truman Brewery for the Art & Design Graduate Show two months earlier, re-entering the various white-washed concrete rooms allowed for a greater understanding of not only space and layout but also interaction and performance.



There had been a handful of products at Superbrands that I found conceptually attractive, but Buchfelder's Kugel K Lamp  was an outstanding personal favourite. Mainly constructed using goose quill feathers, I loved how a product so delicate could demand such a dominant presence within the room.

Graduate Project: BranchDD1

CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT:

With the existing 'work culture' reflecting a sterile and clinical nature, the practical thesis will appropriate a suitable balance between 'Work' and 'Play' in a new ideal office environment. Though certain businesses recognise the potential of increasing work productivity and employee happiness through the creation of unique and innovative office spaces, a majority of our working environments continue to lack in personable work settings that are sensitive to the needs and wants of user(s). Since contemporary 'office architecture' has often been standardised to increase financial profit amongst architectural developers, the thesis BranchDD1 will aim to challenge the lack of meaningful interaction between user(s), in exterior and/or internal environments through the generation of new work experiences.

Although the customisation of offices could be seen as beneficial when improving the daily 'flow' of specific business, it is also of equal importance to recognise that our methods of 'work' are ever-changing. According to a 2011 survey by Cisco Connected World Technology Report, our workforce will become increasingly dependant on virtual and technological means of communication. Based on an educated presumption that new generations will increasingly complete work-related tasks 'out' of the typical office environment, this underscores the importance of transforming our physical working spaces to become places that offer varied experiences (rather than the traditionally adopted open-plan cubic format that frequents office environments today). Specifically, the creation of flexible and adaptable workspaces will become a new priority in the ideal workplace of tomorrow.

Moreover, with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) soon to arrive in Dundee, critics are hopeful that this will contribute to the generation of new job opportunities and thus encourage local economic growth. Evidently the introduction of new creative work places through BranchDD1 could be seen as an appropriate and necessary contribution to the transformation of Dundee from an industrial town to a vibrant city.

Model made to 1:125 Scale. A break-down of 4 different floors.

CONTENT OF THE RESEARCH:

By arranging interviews, organizing personal visits to active offices, and also collecting accounts of what is perceived to be an ‘ideal working environment’ through virtual SNS(s), this provides a direct insight into the necessities, expectations and preferences of individuals in work spaces. Crucially, office spaces should coincide with maintaining an ‘active lifestyle’ and also to supply necessary places to unwind at appropriate times. This could be represented through the accessibility of private and/or public amenities. Additionally in order to propose a place that matters, it is of significance to integrate local community activity with the function of the building.

HOW DOES THE PROJECT RELATE TO FUTURE DIRECTIONS?

Physical spaces are proven to affect the attitude and behaviour of individual(s). With our inevitable obligation to dedicate hours at time to our careers in these sterile boxes, the psychological impact could lead to anxiety and depression. Developing working environments should thus be a priority. Although the thesis focuses on a local site, the design proposal addresses an international issue.  Reflexively, this could develop into the creation of a physical universal network of  ‘working hubs’. Depending on the availability of facilities and local culture of chosen sites (in other cities), the features of the building could also be modified.

The office space is divided for individual 'Work' (Right) and 'Play' (Left). - The long wooden oak panels acts as a psychological and physical divider between these two functions. 

STATEMENT TO GENERAL PUBLIC:

BranchDD1 is a proposal supporting the concept of creating new experiences at work. When committing to the responsibility of your job, working in an office could perhaps become mundane and repetitive. Through the suggestions of incorporating features such as a Café, Library, Restaurant, Exhibition Space and a Community Garden, BranchDD1 aims to ensure that a day at work could be as culturally and socially enriching as a day off work.

By interjecting ‘breakout corridors and sections’, as well as shared communal areas between private tenants, BranchDD1 furthers the concept of heightening the level of transparency across varied combinations of the private and public sector. Moreover, by incorporating shop stalls doted within the building this provides an opportunity for local businesses to flourish, thus heightening the aspect of local community spirit. Based on the fact that BranchDD1 offers a range of services that require a booking fee (daily, weekly or monthly renting service), the building could eventually become self-sufficient.

All in all, the features in BranchDD1 aims to create places that matter, while encouraging the prospect of networking and building relationships. BranchDD1 is the breaking of boundaries between 'Work' and 'Play'.

 ©02/08/2012. All rights reserved. Nora Chou. www.norachou.blogspot.com