INNOVATION
A new workplace model implies a new working culture for a company. In the context of a wider cultural change within the organization, a fully flexible activity based working model with a desk sharing concept was implemented for the topographic survey company geoPro Suisse. The new workplace provides a variety of open and enclosed worksettings specifically designed around the needs of the team and inspired to the principles of the Design Thinking. 

CREATIVITY
The team was transitioning from a single office layout to a fully flexible workplace model and the new space needed to reflect the concept of “gemeinsam” (Together in German). The volumes are detached from the internal façade, leaving the base “box” free from any visual interference allowing a perception of the space as one large room. One Team > One Space. The room unit is a standard product, with a fully integrated electrical and ventilation system equipment. The external elements are bespoke joinery items, with specifically designed lockers, bookshelves, seating niches and diners. The use of oak wood introduces a natural presence in the space, in contrast with the exposed structure of the base building. The branding takes inspiration from the original corporate identity concept of the client, translating into acoustic elements and glass manifestation the very well designed graphic concept. 

FUNCTIONALITY
The space has no “dead ends”, every area is reachable from 2 or more sides through the second circulation paths along the facades. The fluid layout allows multiple access possibilities and a wider degree of freedom. Every space, including the copy room, is designed around the user to provide the best experience possible for every activity and with the same attention to spatial quality as any other worksetting, with ergonomic operation space and lighting. The office is divided into three main areas with a different level of privateness and acoustic protection. The floor follows the same concept going from harder to softer to give a “tactile” perception of the change of character of the space. Additional worksettings are everywhere in the office. High tables along the façade to enjoy the view, seat benches, focus rooms and niches, open diners and high and low tables to offer a wide variety of settings and choices. The possibility to choose for the people using the space is the core of our idea of human centric design. 

SUSTAINABILITY
One of the design drivers for this project was the concept of “sustainability by design” rather than only by applying sustainable materials and technologies. All the “volumes” built in the space are demountable and re-usable in another location should the company decide to move, expand, reduce, or amend their office space. The energy consumption is optimized by using full LED lighting and a smart steering and the materials were chosen putting sustainability as a full priority, the wood is locally sourced and the acoustic panels are made by recycled PET.