Introducing the TSH Global Hub - a 1,450-square-metre ‘living lab’ that reflects the hybrid hospitality concept made famous by The Student Hotel (TSH) brand. The space considers flexibility, connection and productivity, with blended areas to work, meet, collaborate, socialise and relax.
Upon entering, guests are welcomed into an open layout with floor-to-ceiling windows, plants and vertical gardens – a markedly different ambience than typical corporate headquarters. The café in the entrance serves as a work and social space, reflecting the TSH ethos of hybrid areas for collaboration and connection. Indoor plants boost oxygen production and CO2 absorption, and complement the sustainably produced wood and wood veneer furniture throughout.
Particular attention is given to smaller details, notably the decor in the eight meeting rooms, which are named for the themed spaces in the hotels. The Laundry meeting room features a ‘lost socks’ wall and an ironing board that functions as a table, while the Media Lab is equipped to record podcasts and webinars. The Biophilic Room is a true escape to nature with abundant greenery and natural light to boost productivity, and furniture that exudes a warm and relaxed atmosphere - ideal for longer meetings.
TSH Global Hub serves as a live experiment, mirrored in TSH Collab co-working locations across Europe. Every element is tested and customised, from the IT support to the furniture, lighting and equipment. The design is a realisation of modern working trends and feedback from TSH’s own community of entrepreneurs and professionals who utilise the co-working spaces, as well as TSH internal staff, 96 percent of whom requested a more flexible work schedule post-pandemic.
In accordance with TSH’s hybrid design principles the Hub spaces are designed to be dynamic, whether guests use them five days a week or once a fortnight. A core pillar of TSH is ‘open minds, open doors’, which is manifested in the Hub’s open plan and flexible design. Designers doubled the planned number of meeting rooms and increased the quantity of sound-absorbing booths and flex desks, which can be configured using the surrounding mobile bookcases and dividers. Every square metre of space is usable and adaptable.
Sustainability considerations extend beyond vertical gardens, indoor plants and natural furnishings. Smart digital systems control power and lights, which turn off when a space is not in use. A dedicated booking app automates desk and meeting room reservations to control capacity and minimise operational resources, and old furniture from existing TSH properties such as sofas has been given new life in the Hub. A running calendar of wellness programs and networking events also keeps our Hub community healthy and curious.
TSH Global Hub is a consciously designed space that accommodates the working, connecting and wellbeing needs of both staff and guests, expertly navigating this brave new world of hybrid working.