#1 Green Building
Introduction
The Link addresses the social wellness and needs of our future working environment. Using the variety of green spaces, these are opportunities for the users to connect social and also with nature. Besides workstations, there are many spaces designed with fluid functions to allow the different activities in the new office, from leisure, networking, discussions, screening, and others. The Link brings about green connections in the form of natural greenery, natural elements and natural resource. The close proximity of greenery allows functional use such noise buffer, heat buffer, natural ventilation to the interior spaces. The natural landscape also increases the social welling, providing an optimal office environment.
Natural Inspirations
The circulation within the space is fluid and inspired from the natural forms. These are reflected in the ceiling profile, floor finishes, and shared worktable. The fluid form is a response to the limited floor width, creating a seamless spatial flow for the users. Each floor was carried out in line with the client’s direction on the fengshui elements of fire, water, wood, earth and metal. From landscape, furniture, colors, detailing, material, and forms, these designs are specially selected to match the elements. The overall design approach is developed further into a set of highly rich features, comprising of include metal screens, amber-red raw bricks, fluid blue vinyl flooring, coconut shell walls and natural cut stone. This gives each respective floor its own character and aesthetic, allowing every user to truly enjoy their unique yet coherent office space.
Sustainable Resources
A conical skylight descending from the roof brings visual links between levels. It is a clear focal point within the office. Multiple functions are incorporated around this multi-leveled volume, to encourage linkages between departments. The skylight that spans across all floors is the main source of natural light which brighten up the otherwise dark and narrow interior space. It is embraced with steel rods whereby its porosity evokes a sense of spaciousness vertically across all floors and beyond the roof skylight.
Social Wellness
With the possibility of remote working, the significance of future office is geared towards congregation areas and a series of informal meet up nodes to connect people. Staff has the mobility and freedom to work at relaxed spaces or even the outdoor garden. A working place is not just an air conditioned box but a space where people could choose the settings to fit the nature of an activity. It is a balance working environment for group discussion or a tranquil place for quiet moments.
With the introduction of the central air well, this conical realm allows multiple visual and acoustic connections within the 6 levels of stacked office space. Physically, a lightweight spiral staircase goes around the skylight structure, allowing the users travel vertically. This also creates opportunities for them to connect.
Several communal pods are carefully incorporated within the skylight to engage with the dynamic volumetric space. The central air well highlights the entire office environment and brings vibrancy to the close-knitted open office lifestyle.
Raw Materials
To allow ease of construction, the spaces often utilise raw finishes. This reduces the required construction time. At the same time, by exposing the materials like plaster, bricks and blocks, these gives a very enriching texture to the space. This is contrary to the typical materials which may include wall tiles, paint or partition boards.
