What makes a Smart City so smart anyway?

smart city

This doesn’t sound too smart but, by 2030, it is expected that two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in mega-cities. And, according to a U.N. report, by then urban sprawl will have a muddy footprint three-times bigger. It does not take much reflection upon the current state of congestion, pollution and dwindling resources to ask: what will life be like? What will be the state of the environment? 

One thing is certain: if we want to not only survive the daily grind, but thrive, humanity needs to get Smart. 

What is a Smart City?

A number of digitally transformative elements common to the concept of a Smart City spring to mind: the internet of things (IoT), AI, electronic sensors, digital interfaces and maybe even Big Brother. But getting Smart is much more than high tech gadgets. It is about using data gathered from that technology to purposefully make better decisions. Smart cities use technology to connect the dots for improved civic management and streamline city operations with the main objective of providing a better quality of life for inhabitants.

The four C’s of quality of life in a Smart City

Connectivity

Connectivity is at the heart of all the data collected about everything – from traffic flow to air quality – and what is happening beneath our feet in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems. Sensors connected to the IoT can efficiently manage assets like transportation systems, power plants, water supply, waste management as well as crime detection. People power is a significant asset too. User generated information from smartphones puts the giving and receiving of information in the hands of millions of members of the community.

Convenience

A Smart City’s dots, connected by the IoT, means architects and city planners can design upon evidence. The data evolves constantly with the needs of the community; so the opportunities to develop pathways to better quality of life follow in equal measure. “Big data collection allows for real-time analysis of the way space is used – which then impacts what we design for long term”, says dwp Design Director, Angus Rose.

Commute

According to The Mayor website, Smart apps can save commuting time by up to 20% by providing instant access to road conditions and dishing the dirt on the location of parking spots. Better visibility into transport systems means more efficient traffic management and roadworks which improves traffic flow and road safety. Improved transport systems also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Leading nicely to the final point…

Conservation

From a design perspective, strategic planning based on real data leads to more efficient and effective use of resources and infrastructure. Smart cities.com write:  Cities are responsible for 70% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. According to New Climate Economy research, the adoption of compact, transit-oriented cities could reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 600 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030, rising to 1.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050—more than twice the annual emissions of Canada.”

For Smart and sustainable cities; reducing the CO2 footprint is the main driver. Improving energy efficiency, storage, water management, waste management as well as traffic flow are recurring green themes of Smart Cities.

Smart cities grow by design – as opposed to random urban sprawl. Angus says: “With the data and the tools we use to design there are fundamentally better opportunities for the preservation of the natural environment. The ecological footprint, both physically and in terms of carbon emissions, is smaller. Green belts surrounding urban centres can be preserved and nature allows for greater carbon capture and, importantly, preserves the habitat of birds and animals.”

Tangible improvement in quality of life is the result of the synergistic effects of big data and the technological infrastructure of a smart city. The creative exploration of ideas that remains the core of an Architect’s craft is the key to unlocking the potential of a city. Angus adds: “Smart cities will enable the increasingly complex collection and management of data which influence design decisions. Architects can then be relied upon to analyse this data and create design opportunities that are best able to leverage existing assets and develop innovative solutions to complex issues.”

Digital systems have become as much as part of urban life today as mechanical ones creating higher levels of connectivity, greater convenience, and a better daily commute.

To talk to smart people about how dwp can help you plan for a smarter future, contact angus.r@dwp.com.

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Three reasons excellent lobby design gives a competitive hotel edge

Traditionally, a hotel lobby was the way-station to the room. But- if you get it right – the lobby experience is now a make-or-break opportunity to make an impact, make a statement and of course; make more profit.

First impressions are lasting

It takes just 1/10 of a second – literally the blink of an eye – for humans to form a first impression. You will never get a second chance to make a great one, and in a hotel, that chance happens in the touch-points that lead to – and end in – the lobby.  Justin Wells, Director dwp says: “There are subliminal first impressions. A well designed space creates a buzz, a predetermined thrill, and expectation of excitement and delight. These preconditioning moments start, perhaps from an Instagram or Facebook image, long before arrival. In the lobby, ‘surprise’ and engagement really matter.”

Get the lobby right and guests spend time and money there again and again.

The lobby sets the stage

Great lobby design gives you your first taste of the brand pie. It is tantalising, reassuring and exciting in equal measure. Design touches the emotions, stirs your senses and offers a slice of what is yet to come. It is an expression of innovative planning that transforms a space into a place of welcome and delight for the hotel’s target guest.

Is it deliciously grand, or evocative and alluring? Do the doors open with a large smile and a strong aroma of the location? Perhaps the design is quirky, functional and high-tech with self-service check in and a robot behind the desk. dwp’s renovation of Novotel Siam Square, Bangkok, for example, includes check-in counters that enhance the guests’ experience, access to work desks at the ‘Meet n’ Work’ area with built-in charging stations, and a gourmet bar that offers a unique culinary experience. The Relax n’ Play zone includes an interactive sound system and Kids’ Corner is equipped with engaging games for family fun. Detailed design attention is paid to all Novotel’s guests.

The lobby is the place people want to be

Apart from aesthetics, effective lobby design blends a number of other important elements into the space that add social and economic value. And functionality is key. The design must adapt seamlessly to the needs of guests and hotel staff who are socialising, working and relaxing.

Lobbies are no longer the sole territory of the hotel’s in-house guests. Exciting restaurants and bars also become a hub for local passersby to meet, work and play. To partake in a ‘daycation’ environment. Ian Schrager, the entrepreneur, hotelier and real estate developer associated with co-creating the Boutique Hotel talks about “activated” lobbies with bars that draw in the community hotspots for nightlife and entertainment. A win-win for the community and a hot revenue stream for owners.

For more information on how to make the most of your hotel lobby in every way; contact justin.w@dwp.com

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The WOW factor: designing a wonderful lobby that works

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOZTQJlGjjc

Five favourite things in the W Dubai – the Palm’s, dwp lobby design

The W Hotel’s ‘Living Room’ lobby concept is a great example of mastering the modern art of the lobby. Travelers arriving after a long journey sink into chic and comfortable hospitality with soft furnishings, mood lighting and sensual fabrics. Importantly, by creating an alluring environment, guests come out of the room to linger for longer adding economic as well as energetic value to the space. Here are five dwp’s five design wow factors:

A sense of place

A strong sense of modern Middle East with nods to the traditional nomadic lifestyle of the desert. dwp says: “The lobby space is a voluminous five-story atrium with a strong design narrative that depicts traditional desert fortresses and citadels. The geometric forms and curvilinear shapes of both the built and natural environment are present. The design takes guests back to age-old architecture of the Middle East with thick adobe walls, deep recesses and natural imperfections. A glass skylight lets in a large amount of natural light, reducing the need for artificial light.”

Quirky W Hotel design elements

Portals pepper the walls offering a creative interplay, and dappled light. Guests looking up from the lobby floor cannot see through them, but guests in the corridors can look down to the lobby. Several large brightly coloured Macaron lounge chairs are scattered around representing the W ‘bold and witty’ ethos.

Light the way

The design concept is ‘transformation by light’. A 30-metre visual soundwave and light installation in the lobby turns it into the heartbeat of the whole hotel. Constructed from 640 pieces of glass, it adjusts the energy from day to night. The overlay of natural light and artificial light work to create a visual energy for guests and adjusts the mood of the whole space. The soundwave feature also provides a piazza for the perfect selfie spot linking all the spaces in the lobby and public areas and encouraging guests to occupy and photograph the space.

Delight the eyes

The materials were selected for their quality, shape, form and for their ability to create interesting patterns. “Juxtaposed materials, like the artisan carpet with natural stone offer a powerful design outcome, that can also be viewed from above, allowing guests to appreciate the space from a variety of angles,” says dwp. ‘Fallen golden objects’, reminiscent of jewel-like windows above are dotted around the lobby providing seating areas for guests whilst a 13.5 meter sofa in earth tones, representing a desert mountain range, successfully connects the W lounge to nearby VIP Lounge.

Layout

The Living Room lobby offers multiple entry points that enable the operator to control how guests migrate through the space and direct traffic where necessary. The space is flexible and reinvents itself with modular furniture and temporary infrastructure. Finally the W shop offers guests a win-win shopping to take a little wow home.

 

The Living Room lobby at W Hotel Dubai – The Palm, is a wonderful mix of ‘wow’ and welcome that leaves guests impressed and inspired to spend time and money in the space. For more information on extraordinary hotel design please contact scott.w@dwp.com

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The secrets of lobby design for every hotel budget

hotel lobby design

There are expert ways to make ‘wow’ designs on every budget, and when designing for different market segments, it is important to remember that guest expectations are key. In a five-star hotel, guests expect a theatre of welcome.

The lobby is the entry point to a curated journey. From the luxurious touch points along the way such as valet arrival, to the grand entrance into a large, lovely space. The whole journey should be seamless from check in; to final arrival at the room.

At dwp designed Hotel Des Artes MGallery in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, the first design feature to wow guests is the spectacular sense of arrival and place. The design tells the story of Saigon’s past, celebrating the romance of travel in a luxurious and romantic boutique hotel lobby. Numerous nuanced design elements and carefully selected art, objects and key furniture pieces add opulence and flavour.

In contrast, when designing for budget offerings, quirky features add a touch of character. The hotel lobby area is more about convenience and efficiency. The lobby is not as pivotal to the hotel. It can be as simple as: ‘the place that directs guests from A to B’. Technology like easy mobile check in reduces staff (and costs) and therefore plays a more important role in this type of lobby.

The most diverse lobby design is that of mid-scale hotels. Urban lifestyle hotels require a clever combination of luxury and budget design elements as well as a sense of place. Scott Whittaker Design Director of dwp says: “The Ibis Styles Khaosarn Vientai, is located in one of Bangkok’s most iconic tourist areas. dwp designed the vibrant lobby with an all-day dining restaurant and a street-front café. dwp’s design creates a contemporary atmosphere, which creates a functional space while blending vintage Thai décor with a modern edge.”

Fluid design and adaptability of space are very important for mid-scale hotel lobby design. It needs to be all things to all people with a series of experiences that operate around a 24 hour clock. The lobby space may be required to operate differently throughout the day than at night to maximize the use of space. It works hard serving different functions. It may be used for breakfast, lunch and then for entertainment later in the evening.

With all of these factors in mind, designers set out to create the very best design to fit both the needs of the guest, and profits for the owners. Contact justin.w@dwp.com or scott.w@dwp.com to find out more about incredible hospitality designs that fit every expectation.

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Three unexpected ways coworking design is disrupting your workplace

coworking design

Corporate office design is softening its hard edges to create flexible, social and creative places to be. We talk to Associate Design Director of dwp, K.Ya Kittivoraphongkij about how coworking spaces have changed the way we think when we think about designing the office.

When you think of ‘traditional office design’, whether Mad Men-gen opulence, faceless cubicles from The Office; or even latter day open-plan layouts spring to mind; workplace design is a literal and figurative reflection on rigidity. Bureaucratic systems built on a firm foundation of static desks (piled high with paper) and lined with chunky chairs: everyone knows where they sit, and everyone knows where they stand in the company structure.

But there’s a new disruptor on the block. A social, flexible and high-tech upstart called ‘the coworking space.’ And rather than fitting into formulaic office templates, they have conversely had a major impact on mainstream office design. The shift originates in the way office space is used, the trend is to do away with static office furniture (even the most stalwart: the desk) and the outcome is flow.

Democratic design

The coworking space business model has thrived in urban environments where start-ups, up-starts, creatives and digital nomads thrive. The design for the new workplace is an agile model that views the users of the space less as ‘occupants’ and more as ‘consumers’. This has inspired new operating systems driven by workers rejecting the idea of a traditional career, demanding the technology to eschew the desktop. Coworking design is for people who want to work anywhere, anytime, their way. Ya says: “Today’s office designs are following suit. Innovation and technology is democratising the workplace. Workers are demanding environments where they are empowered to support their needs – whether creative, time or technology driven. A great example of this is KBank Private Banking Office. Even in a traditional bank culture an agile environment was adopted with hot-desking technology and a clear desk policy.”  

Dynamic design

Coworking workplace design is less committed. It is adaptable. Dynamic spaces that change in a way that is cognisant of short and long term needs. “Office designers now think ‘flexibility’ over ‘fixed’,” says Ya. 

Architects and designers are designing the workplace to create communities that collaborate. And by rewiring social interactions the organisational culture is evolving. Ya adds: “A good example of this is the Department of Finance Headquarters, Abu Dhabi, UAE. We created functional spaces that promote teamwork with innovative design and unique, carefully thought through space planning.” The office features open and closed meeting spaces, collaboration spaces, plus nomadic and community workspaces that establish a truly agile work environment that mimics a coworking space.

Designer design

Like hotels, coworking inspired offices stand out by having vivid, creative interior design. There are a variety of resources that support a variety of work styles. Today’s office follows suit (or no suit as the case may be). Gone is the ‘one size fits all’ approach. The end result is offices that are aesthetically distinct and functionally more varied. In this environment, office designers are given more creative freedom than ever to create spaces that strengthen interactions and communication, responsive to the needs of the team. Ya adds: “Innovative spaces open new ways of sharing; even between different disciplines. I believe it is these creative and flexible places that lead to new and exciting ideas. dwp designed the Bangkok headquarters for JD Central, the joint venture between Central Group and JD.COM; a Chinese e-commerce company. Their digitally themed, creative and dynamic office space is modelled very successfully on design-led, technology driven coworking.

The way of corporate coworking

As coworking continues to gather popularity, and the ideas that define it become more widely embraced, so its design and cultural influence will be felt in all types of offices everywhere and in every way. Office layout, like office culture, is now democratic, dynamic and extremely well designed. The age of corporate coworking has been born.

dwp designs office spaces with cutting edge creativity for optimal use of space, workflow and light. Office spaces that help organisations achieve a competitive advantage by aligning workplace culture with digital transformation and modern work practices.

Download our Workplace Capability Statement or contact nichary.p@dwp.com in Bangkok or bradley.s@dwp.com in Australia to find out more about profit by design.

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Is coworking changing the culture of work forever?

culture of workToday’s companies are collaborative, innovative and diverse by design. A cultural shift that can be traced back to the success of coworking spaces. 

The profitability and popularity of coworking culture has had a massive impact on the culture of the corporate office. The ol’ nine-to-five routine is stretching. Flexible working hours, collaboration and flow are the new norm.  

Coworking spaces have boomed in popularity over the last 10 years. These numbers will continue to increase in direct proportion to the isolation of remote working. According to the site Coworking Resources, there has been an average increase of 2,595 new coworking spaces globally every year since 2015. 

Flexibility

Flexibility is a whole new word in the corporate lexicon, yet it is one of the most sought-after benefits of coworking. Shared spaces have subsequently come to the attention of the ‘new corporate’. Companies are trying open plan designs and hot desking with the goals of innovation, transformation, and future-proofing for streamlining and profit. 

Collaboration

Collaboration, like flexibility, is at the core of why freelancers and startups choose to work in coworking spaces. Corporations can see clearly that cubicles and closed offices are deterrents to innovation. The increased teamwork, lateral thinking and brainstorming that comes from shared spaces lead to profits.

Workflow

Mabel Casey and Rex Miller in their book, Change Your Space, Change Your Culture, say: “The leadership of engagement begins by reconnecting to the physicality and the people of a company, not simply its spreadsheet. It all begins in the workplace.” While coworking spaces offer a lot of room for work and development, they also provide workers with lots of distractions, allowing people to take a mental break and refresh. Game rooms, bars, lounges, bean bags in quirky fun environments, once the sole territory of the coworking hub, are now a de rigueur part of workplace design. At McKinsey & Company, Bangkok, Thailand, dwp added playful design elements that were inspired by a traditional Thai house into the corporate office.

Is the future culture of work forever changed?

Yes. Thanks to coworking spaces leading the veritable charge to more human-centric working environments, workplace design and workplace culture have become a melting pot of innovation and diversity that profit the company and people in them.

dwp designs office spaces with cutting edge creativity for optimal use of space, workflow and light. Office spaces that help organisations achieve a competitive advantage by aligning workplace culture with digital transformation and modern work practices.

Download our Workplace Capability Statement or contact scott.w@dwp.com or nichary.p@dwp.com in Bangkok and hilary.s@dwp.com or bradley.s@dwp.com in Australia to find out more about profit by design.

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Six unusual things to think about when thinking lobby design

novotel lobby design

There’s a lot more to hotel lobby design than you might think. It is so much more than just the height of the check-in desk or a stunning Murano glass chandelier. dwp believes there are six subtle design nuances that have great operational and emotional impact and go way beyond the obvious. dwp says: “Lobby design must be holistic. Each part of the layout, from reception and seating area, through to the visual anchors like colours, materials and lighting; must be cohesive no matter how many stars are shining above the door.”

The layout

This is one of the most important aspects of the design. It enables the smooth flow of guests and staff through the space. The lobby must provide the balance between form and function: offering a breathtaking first impression while working hard on multifunctional tasks.

Flexibility of purpose

Allows a space to reinvent itself when necessary to offer additional benefits at different times of the day. Modular furniture and custom-built equipment create temporary infrastructure for a pliable lobby space. Design forethought saves capital expenditure later on. Technology, for example, will always need to be upgraded and functionality will certainly change over time.

A strong design narrative

This can transform a hotel lobby, affect the energy of the whole hotel and the mood of the guests. Perfection is in the details. The dwp designed bold 30-metre visual soundwave and light installation in the atrium of The W Dubai – The Palm lobby is the heartbeat of the whole hotel. It adjusts the energy transforming from day to night. The spectacular feature beats to the music in the neighbouring W Lounge offering a rainbow of colour, sight and sound. The overlay of natural and artificial light creates visual energy for guests, and a chance to adjust the mood of the whole space as desired. It is a lively piazza, the ultimate selfie spot, that links all the spaces in the lobby and public areas.

Cognitive wayfinding  

Essentially efficient lighting and signage, is a crucial aspect to lobby design. If the entry experience is not well thought out, well sign posted or well lit, it can leave guests ‘lost in space’. Definitely, a negative first impression that is hard to erase.

Weather conditions

The hotel’s location will determine how much indoor and outdoor lobby space is necessary. A wet climate, for example, necessitates a larger hotel lobby allowing guests a space to shelter from the rain.

Acoustics

Carpets on floors and sound reducing materials, texturing and layering finishes on the walls. An intentionally vibrant lobby space with cafés and bars can also align guest expectations.

For more information about fine tuning hotel lobby design into a symphony of aesthetic, operational and experiential success contact scott.w@dwp.com

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Three surprising ways to winning workplace design

KBank office design

Integrated design is the trademark of an empowered office where people can be creative, get work done and also enjoy the process. dwp believes transformational office design comes down to three key elements: transparency, fluidity and flexibility.

Transparent Walls

Design for future workplace breaks down literal and figurative barriers so that information is no longer kept trapped behind office doors in departmental bunkers. In open plan spaces interaction can occur organically for greater productivity and growth. Even traditional industries, like banking, are evolving. dwp’s KBank Private Banking office in Bangkok, for example, was created for hot-desking on long countertops along large windows with stunning views and masses of natural light. A café adds a relaxed workspace and energy. The result is an extremely functional and flexible office design. Where people can work and brainstorm… with great coffee.

Fluid Structures

Modern office design is evolving alongside technology. Digital transformation optimises all the ways in which people work and collaborate. Work environments designed with digital and spatial infrastructure empower teams to function with agility and speed. Information is readily accessible so decisions can be made without climbing mountains of bureaucracy. dwp designed The Smart Dubai workplace to incorporate cutting edge technology with the latest in sustainability. Collaboration is accomplished through intelligent space planning, flexible spaces and, of course, elegant aesthetics.

Flexible Spaces

The modern workplace environment has a blended workforce that factors in the ‘gig economy’ and is less tied to physical locations. Workspaces designed to accommodate a range of demographics and disciplines in different capacities, both temporary talent and long term occupants, offers employers improved productivity and a rich talent pool of skills. dwp designed co-working space, Glowfish cafe, is a wonderfully executed example of flexible workspace. The active reception with barista bar and hot desk working area opens to a larger community space providing a single location for staff to work, socialise and hold community events.

To learn more about how to transform your workplace for profit and productivity into a transparent, fluid and flexible workspace contact scott.w@dwp.com or download our Workplace Capability Statement.

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Secrets of successful design for profits and people

workplace design

It seems counterintuitive but technology is making the workspace more human, less rigid and more flexible. Workplace design is changing; responding to the long distance call from the cloud.

At dwp, we believe workplace design should support the shift towards greater fluidity. We design for digital transformation because it plays an important role in the flow of ideas and creativity as AI takes over from tedious, repetitive unrewarding roles.

dwp’s design for The One Card in Bangkok’s office interactive digital wall ‘receptionist’, which greets people and directs them to their appointments, shows how mundane roles can be eliminated. This leaves more money to spend on ‘human nature jobs’ that have a ROI like empathy, creativity and communication.

Design can either reinforce or break down the symbolic structure of decision-making. The closer we work with technology, the less hierarchy stands in the way of cooperation and the more time can be spent on critical thinking and creative skills. When dwp moved offices, we embraced it as an opportunity to walk the talk of digital transformation. Our open plan office is designed for dwp staff to be creative and interactive. Natural light flows in from the treeline which also reduces energy consumption. Fully wireless the team is no longer tied to their desks by a PC and lan cable, so can work independently or in groups anywhere in the office. Smartphones, social media, artificial intelligence and the Internet are just part of digital transformation. We have found out for ourselves that digitally transformed flexible offices make good business sense by establishing a sustainable competitive edge and cost effectiveness.

dwp have literally ‘been there and done that’, so for more information about how to integrate the new world of digital transformation into your old world office design (and much more), please contact scott.w@dwp.com

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Sustainable design for a healthy business and healthy people

Humans gravitate towards nature. A fact you might be forgiven for forgetting in the middle of the urban sprawl.

Sustainability-thinking architects and interior designers are however trying to minimise the negative impact of buildings on the environment; with energy-saving technology, sustainable materials, recycling, repurposing; and plants.

Although there is a perceived struggle between the cost of sustainably designed workspace and workspace with more ‘business value’, the truth is that sustainable designs not only save energy and natural resources but also increasing the wellbeing of staff within those spaces. Harvard studies indicate that green spaces are quite literally a breath of fresh air. Sustainable design not only plays a huge role on our wellbeing at work, but also at home. Green-certified offices have as much as a 26% boost in cognition, 30% fewer sickness related absences and a 6% rise in sleep quality. With an expanded value proposition that now includes productivity along with energy and water savings, we hope more building investors, owners and tenants will choose green building. The research demonstrates that green building is not only good for the environment but also for people – that is a powerful combination.

Ideally, sustainable design is integrated from inception to completion: maximising the use of natural light, airflow and purchasing responsibly sourcing fixtures and fittings. But, if it’s a bit late, there are a number of ways to add green to your team:

-Indoor plants and natural light are proven to increase creativity, problem solving, decision making and even sleep quality (which in turn increases productivity).

-Internal comfort levels – too hot or too cold? It’s not just a question of the electricity bill, discomfort is shown to lessen productivity and focus.

-Digital transformation and paperless work ethics.

In dwp’s design for the Glowfish coworking space, sustainability was a basic consideration. In the construction, material waste was minimised substantially by retaining up to 60% of the existing infrastructure. The active reception with barista bar and hot desk working area is a hub formed from concrete and surrounded by a natural, green environment. The design reflects the inclusive culture and partnership approach to working with clients.

If you would like to know about how we can work with you to design a more sustainable business (and a happier, more productive team) contact scott.w@dwp.com 

Tags: Abu dhabi, Agile workspace, Archi, Architect, Architecture, Artist, Asia, Bangkok, Bar, BIM, Blog, Boutique, Business, Civic, Construction, Content, Creativity, Culture, Design, Designer, Digital, Digital technology, Digital transformation, Digitisation, Drink, Dubai, Education, Experience, F&B, Food, Future, Health, Hicap, Ho chi minh, Hospitality, Hotel, Hotel design, Information, Innovation, Interior, Interior design, Interior designer, Interview, Knowledge, Lebua, Lifestyle, Luxury, Luxury design, Luxury interior, Marriott, Profile, Residential, Restaurant, Saigon, Sky, Studio, Success, Sustainibility, Tech, Technology, Thailand, Trends, Video, Vietnam, W hotel, Women

Can innovative living office design improve bottom line?

What is a living office?

A living office is a workplace that provides a platform for high-performance. It should be a space, that through its innovative and unique design, delivers an optimum work experience for people, and assists the organization to achieve their key goals, both technically and commercially.

Key things to consider when designing a living office

Scott Whittaker, dwp’s Group Creative Director believes that when designing a living office space real attention to detail must be paid in order for it to successfully articulate the organization’s unique character and culture and deliver its people with a working environment that is both productive and enjoyable.

“People are the most important asset to every organization and therefore designing an office that best supports its people, their needs and their daily activities is vital. The space should reflect the culture of the organization as well as make the organization more powerful through innovative design that showcases effective spatial planning, sustainable healthy spaces and smart use of technology. Ultimately, a well executed living office should bring humanity to the workplace and help the business succeed.” – Scott Whittaker, dwp, Group Creative Director

Is effective spatial planning the core to the success of any living office?

It is important to bear in mind that whilst ‘cool’ offices may be the current trend, it is not a one-size fit all theory. Priority should be placed upon the unique requirements of each organization and before an initial design is considered the organization’s key activities and groups of employees should be studied and analysed. Core to the success of any living office is a mix of social, semi-private and private spaces. The traditional pantry and lobby are moving towards more social spaces that are more similar to the likes of a hotel lobby space, a space where teams can come together to share ideas, build relationships and of course have great coffees and teas! The dynamics for each organization will be different, some groups of employees will require to share ideas openly, have quick conversations, and work collaboratively to solve problems; whereas some groups will require more private spaces, where individuals need to withdraw from the group and the noise to focus more privately on their own tasks. It is vital that both are accounted for when designing a successful living office. Designers should also keep efficiency in mind here, understanding the office activities and who works with who can provide a way to improve office communications through spatial planning and design.

Do sustainability and health play a key role in a well designed living office?

Health is increasingly important to staff in workplaces today. Healthy happy staff are more productive and creative. The living office should promote healthy lifestyles, fresh clean air, non-toxic environments and great use of natural lighting to enhance the mood of the space, with adjustable artificial lighting as an extra. National Geographic recently reported how public health researcher, Joseph Allen and colleagues at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have defined nine foundations for healthier buildings, such as better water quality, reducing noise, regulating temperature, and maximizing natural light. It is also understood that natural elements such as plants and timber can bring together an enhanced living environment. Within dwp’s design at Smart Dubai, each team member has a personal plant they tender, fostering a new shared tradition that also brings the team together. As the living office evolves the plant will adjust its rhythm with the office modifying light and temperature to match humans circadian rhythms.

“Companies are starting to think about their real estate as a means for improving the health of their employees,” says Keara Fanning, who leads a sustainability practice at JLL. “As humans, we evolved to wake up with the sun and go to sleep at sundown. When our lighting does the opposite of that, it affects us.” – Keara Fanning, JLL

How smart use of technology can allow a rapidly evolving living office to grow

dwp believes that smart use of technology can enable a truly living office to evolve, in many of our latest workplace projects we recommend the use of 100% wireless & cloud technologies for both security and adaptability. Once the team is no longer tethered to a desk with LAN cabling and traditional workstation style PC the office can evolve and reinvent itself daily depending on the tasks ahead.

“At Smart Dubai, we incorporated the very latest technologies, however, due to understanding how organisations change and evolve rapidly one of our key design objectives was to create flexibility to enable upgrades to the technologies or reconfiguration to the layouts easily if necessary and with minimal disruption.” – Scott Whittaker, dwp Group Creative Director

Can a well designed living office really have a positive commercial impact?

In summary, more and more organizations today are recognizing the positive commercial impact that designing a fully flexible living office, that offers health-positive working, collaboration and a sense of belonging can have upon their business.

“Flexibility is key. Employees are seeking workplaces that are more sustainable and energy-efficient, and technology is enabling increased choice in work location, space type and function—all of which contribute to the employee experience.” – Grant Morrison, Head of Consulting at JLL Asia Pacific

Each living office design will lay the foundations for the future of that company, so dwp designers strive to unlock tailored unique workspaces that promise to meet objectives and offer exciting potential rewards for the organization as a whole. To see how dwp effectively incorporates all of the above into designs, take a look at the workplace section of our website.

Tags: Abu dhabi, Agile workspace, Archi, Architect, Architecture, Artist, Asia, Bangkok, Bar, BIM, Blog, Boutique, Business, Civic, Construction, Content, Creativity, Culture, Design, Designer, Digital, Digital technology, Digital transformation, Digitisation, Drink, Dubai, Education, Experience, F&B, Food, Future, Health, Hicap, Ho chi minh, Hospitality, Hotel, Hotel design, Information, Innovation, Interior, Interior design, Interior designer, Interview, Knowledge, Lebua, Lifestyle, Luxury, Luxury design, Luxury interior, Marriott, Profile, Residential, Restaurant, Saigon, Sky, Studio, Success, Sustainibility, Tech, Technology, Thailand, Trends, Video, Vietnam, W hotel, Women

What do emotions, experiences and luxury have in common?

We talk to two experts in Southeast Asian hospitality. Deepak Ohri, CEO of five star luxury brand, lebua. And pioneer of cutting edge luxury hospitality design, Scott Whittaker, Creative Director of dwp.  

“We know that luxury does not mean one thing to all. However, it’s clear that in mature markets, luxury has evolved to become increasingly bound up in experiences rather than things. One key trend driving the future of luxury travel is the shift in values from the material to the experiential – rather than saving up to buy luxurious possessions, people are choosing to spend their money on experiences.”

AMADEUS Report. Shaping the Future of Luxury Travel | Future Traveller Tribes 2030

Luxury is different for everyone.

But one thing we can all agree on is that ideas about luxury travel have changed. People still want comfort, culture, and adventure but how they want to have these experiences is evolving. Well heeled travellers want highly personalised experiences tailored to their individual tastes.

lebua has been at the forefront of the Southeast Asian luxury travel scene for 25 years. Starting with the, now iconic, Sirocco and SkyBar. Deepak Says: “In Asia the business model is upside down. Food and beverage is risky business. But if you want to do something you find a way. We created the lebua hotel brand out of food and beverage; not the other way around. The truth is that we didn’t want to create a ‘restaurant’, per se. And we didn’t set out to create a hotel. Our objective was to create an experience. Consequently, to this day, our portfolio is different to big hotel chains; which are much more predictable.”

LUXURY EXPERIENCES

Deepak says: “Luxury should always be equated with experience because experience stays with you longer. Experience is formed from emotional connection which usually involves an element of surprise.” At lebua those experiences are created and managed by a host of unique designs and lebua-only encounters and flavours. “lebua is not about innovation. It is about improvisation and we are very proud of creating our own people and our own experiences. But we improvise and work with other luxury brands.” Chivas Regal created a blend of Scotch Whiskey that can only be enjoyed at dwp designed, Alfresco 64. And the same holds true for Perrier Jouet at Flute Bar and Rare Champagne, which can only be enjoyed by the glass in Thailand at Pink Bar. Scott Whittaker says: “Designing luxury is about creating space and comfort combined with an emotional experience. There is always a place for the signature restaurant or award winning design, but truly luxurious places are where you feel comfortable, at home and want to come back. You will soon tire of an iconic chair if it’s not comfortable.”

The single ventilation hood that was key in creating lebua’s latest restaurant, Chef’s Table, where the food is prepared in the restaurant, is an example of the confluence of luxury, function and experience. Deepak says: “This is how we use technology – not with robots and automatic check ins – it’s not about what people can see. It’s about what they experience.”We use UV ultra lite sensors to completely eliminate food smells from the air. When you go home you will wonder why your clothes don’t smell.”

Scott says:I try to create a story for each design that can be told simply and that defines the entire concept. Once we both embrace that story the design will come to shape. In the case of lebua, a vertical destination, with so many different projects under one roof, the unifying factors are the manipulation of light and space and function. That’s always the most interesting place to be: at the edge of the sea, a verandah or rooftop bar. In a nutshell – space plus light, great materials and finishes. Hospitality design is often like a stage set where you can live out a moment of your life in a special place that alters your mood. Your surroundings play a big part in creating emotion.” And emotion, as we now know is the foundation stone to luxury experience.

 

For more information, please contact scott.w@dwp.com

Tags: Abu dhabi, Agile workspace, Archi, Architect, Architecture, Artist, Asia, Bangkok, Bar, BIM, Blog, Boutique, Business, Civic, Construction, Content, Creativity, Culture, Design, Designer, Digital, Digital technology, Digital transformation, Digitisation, Drink, Dubai, Education, Experience, F&B, Food, Future, Health, Hicap, Ho chi minh, Hospitality, Hotel, Hotel design, Information, Innovation, Interior, Interior design, Interior designer, Interview, Knowledge, Lebua, Lifestyle, Luxury, Luxury design, Luxury interior, Marriott, Profile, Residential, Restaurant, Saigon, Sky, Studio, Success, Sustainibility, Tech, Technology, Thailand, Trends, Video, Vietnam, W hotel, Women

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