“The Workplace Exhibition” From Invisible Product to Visible Space In response to generations shift, along with digitalization, the world of work has reformed on the current way of working. As a result, the workplace is no longer defined itself as an office, instead it is a creative space that meant to inspire people, communicate with people, and more essentially, connect people. Thailand is no exception in this trend. Within the recent past, many new work units have been emerged to support evolving digital disruption, raising questions on architects to revisit and rethink about the workspace design for the future. The workplace becomes a body language expressing the corporate vision and providing spaces for social interaction and collaboration. It is not an option, it becomes obligation. K+ is a mobile application attempting to develop a platform that can comprehensively accommodate changes in the digital world. As it’s nature as a mobile application means it contains no concrete physicality, therefore, the design team then conceptualizes K+ identity into a work of architecture as a phrase “from invisible product to visible space”. “Workplace Exhibition” becomes the design concept of K+ Building. The design delivers the architecture and space that users can easily understand. Every part of the building is visually accessible from a building lobby through the central circulation. A large staircase facilitates connectivity between floors, a hangout/waiting/meeting/brainstorming area, and a rendezvous point. The staircase serves as a tool inviting users to observe and know more about K+'s work environment through spatial experiences. Moreover, activities occurring in this part keep the atmosphere animated while the dynamic interactions between people and spaces become K+ Building's most unique characteristics. In line with the intention for the building to serve as a brand representative welcoming outsiders to learn more about K+, the design materializes the G-floor into a public space attracting all users with a coffee shop and a cafeteria. The 1st-2nd floor workspaces are in an open-plan with different types of workspaces, corresponding with the K+'s organizational behaviors that are collaborative and conversational. Besides, at the top floor, there is a roof garden with vegetables growing, adding extra functionality created for refreshment. The design intends for the working atmosphere to feel relaxing and encouraging creativity. Other than that, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of Thai people. Meanwhile, contactless technology has played a pivotal role in helping to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, as it favorably accommodates the ‘New Normal’ in Thai society. Hence, the K+ building has developed new contactless technologies, including face check-in, smart locker, self-payment with facial scanning and paperless digital receipts. The design set out to create a structure that welcomes people to learn about K+ through atmosphere and workspaces. The exterior architecture sees the use of custom-made perforated aluminum composite and U Glass, reflecting the tech office's identity and characteristics. The interior architecture highlights simplicity through materials and textures, from exposed concrete surfaces to steel and wooden grilles, conveying the more human aspect despite the office's technology-oriented operations.
K+ Building
pbm
Bronze

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Nathan Watts
Creative Director
at Interstore
7
5
6
5
5.75

Lorcan O'Herlihy
Founder, Design Principal
at Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects [LOHA]
6
6
6
5
5.75

Janne van Berlo
Founder
at Atelier van Berlo
5
5
6
5
5.25

Simon Goff
Founder and Director
at Floor_Story
6
6
5
5
5.5

Nic Granleese
CEO and Cofounder
at BowerBird
7
8
8
5
7

Julio Kowalenko
Cofounder
at Atelier Caracas
6
7
5
5
5.75

Tobias Geisler
Cofounder
at VAVE Studio
5
6
5
5
5.25

Ting Yu
Chief Architect
at Wutopia Lab
5
6
5
6
5.5

Frank Lee
Founder and President
at Shanghai Fengyuzhu Culture Technology
6
7
7
6
6.5

Jeff Yrazabal
President
at SRG Partnership
5
5
6
5
5.25

Akanksha Deo Sharma
Designer
at Ikea
6
7
6
5
6
Location
Designer
Client
KBTG (KASIKORN-Business Technology Group)
Floor area
7600 ㎡
Completion
2020