The secret is out!

7NEWS Melbourne holds an exclusive interview with Chadstone Director Fiona Mackenzie who explains how the luxury MGallery by Sofitel hotel designed by dwp in collaboration with EDG Design and Australia’s Bates Smart is set to open at Chadstone this November.

The $130 million hotel includes 250-rooms, suites and penthouses, two leading restaurants, a rooftop pool and conservatory bar, wellness retreat and day spa and will be the only 5* hotel located outside Melbourne’s CBD.

We’re thrilled to be a part of this sensational project and simply can’t wait to reveal the finalised design!

Watch this space…

The notion that design inadvertently shapes the future is so important when considering workplace design. The purpose of the office is changing and work-spaces today are no longer simply places where people go to work. A modern workplace like the dwp designed Smart Dubai Office, can offer a means for employers to attract and retain top talent by differentiating themselves from the corporate crowd. It’s typical these days to find offices that are more sustainable, collaborative, fun and functional. Employers are understanding more and more that a happy working environment, leads to happy workers, increased productivity and ultimately an improved bottom line. The drive for ‘cool’ offices, initially sparked by trendy tech giants such as Google, has led many companies to explore how harnessing innovative design to increase face-face collaboration, can boost creativity and, ultimately, grow their business. Companies more than ever consider office design as a key way to shape their future culture.

“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.” – Robert L. Peters

Two years ago this month, dwp’s sustainable workspace design for the Smart Dubai offices located in the United Arab Emirates opened its doors. The Smart Dubai initiative, anchored in the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is to make Dubai the happiest city on earth. As designers, we did our best to harness this culture within our workplace design. Incorporating cutting edge technology with the latest in sustainability measures, the Smart Dubai workplace encourages multidisciplinary collaboration through intelligent space planning, flexible workspaces and beautiful aesthetics. The design showcases health-positive working, collaboration and a sense of belonging; whilst also reflecting the Smart Dubai identity as a progressive smart organisation. The concept took inspiration from the desert winds rippling over sand dunes and was successfully articulated in the ceilings and shared spaces. This approach created organic structures whilst emphasizing movement and fluidity throughout the space. The facility relies predominantly on organic material, such as wood and rope, thus reducing its carbon footprint and perfectly aligning with Smart Dubai’s core principle of sustainable, environmentally friendly development.

As a company, we proved that we are not afraid to push boundaries and face new challenges. dwp continually steps into the future with cutting edge collaborative, sustainable and creative design technology and that’s exactly the philosophy we incorporated into the Smart Dubai offices. Just last week we celebrated the Smart Dubai office turning 2 years old and in perfect unison won the Outstanding Workspace Design Award at the Herman Miller Middle East & Africa Living Office Awards 2019. Chosen for standing out and genuinely meeting ‘the living office’ requirement in terms of nature, technology and human well being. The judges were particularly impressed by the creation of engaging ‘public’ spaces and a strong expression of the companies values.

The Smart Dubai office has proved a perfect example of the famous Robert L. Peters quote; when culture is created through design, values are shaped and the future is written, and in our case, still celebrated 2 years on. Thank you, Herman Miller, for providing a platform that recognizes and awards outstanding design, and Happy 2nd Birthday Smart Dubai, UAE!

As digital disruption changes the classroom, schools must become centres of collaboration and co-creation. But if you think it’s as simple as smart building design, think again, says dwp’s education lead, David Clarke.

Rapidly evolving technology – from automation to artificial intelligence – means the jobs of tomorrow will be very different from the jobs around today.

“Our world is no longer served by traditional education,” David explains.

“Employers are looking for specific skills, such as blue sky thinking and analytical problem solving, collaboration and creativity, flexibility and entrepreneurship.

“These skills aren’t fostered through the ‘chalk and talk’ teaching style of the past. And these skills aren’t sparked in old-fashioned cell-like classrooms.”

Tomorrow’s agile thinkers need a range of settings, teeming with technology, in which to learn, David says. Think spaces designed for direct instruction that can accommodate collaborative zones for group work. Think rooms for quiet reflection that morph into places for debate and dissection. And think ‘maker spaces’ where ideas can be explored and prototyped. These are the sorts of physical environments that respond to new education trends.

A challenge both creative and cultural

But the challenge for architects is not a creative one. It’s a cultural one. In many cases, interactive, technology-enabled spaces don’t live up to their potential because teachers aren’t able to step away from behind the blackboard and interact with the students in new ways.

“This way of educating students requires a massive shift in teacher focus and practice – something that is not being addressed in the architecture world.”

David has a unique perspective on education design. He is currently undertaking research towards a PhD through Melbourne University’s globally-recognised Learning Applied Research Network, or LEaRN. His first degree though wasn’t in design, but psychology. This has informed his design practice.

“I’ve always thought carefully about the lived experience of a building’s user. This is a point of difference in dwp’s approach to education design.”

Co-creation takes more than maker spaces

An education project will only be successful when teachers are supported to change their teaching practice at the same time, David adds.

School leaders must understand why they need to change teachers’ practice – and make this case for change “crystal clear”.

“Expecting teachers to embrace new spaces without knowing how to use them won’t work. Teachers need curated professional development that helps them shift from being instructors to co-creators.

“This takes strong and positive leadership – transformational leadership – to create this culture.”

Design and teaching innovation work together

David points to Surf Coast Secondary College in Australia’s state of Victoria, designed by dwp, which brings together flexible spaces and smart systems to provide a hands-on learning environment for tomorrow’s leaders.

The school’s innovative design was complemented by a “forward-looking principal” who “flipped the learning model”, but did so in tandem with teacher training to ensure educators could make the most of the new spaces. In this case, an innovative design and new styles of teaching work together.

“It’s not about the building. This may seem heretical from an architect, but the building is never the driver of change. It’s the enabler of change.”

“If we are just doing design, it’s only half the job.”

What does the “full job” look like? At dwp, it means working side-by-side with the people who will use the building to “help them see the big picture” and to arm them with the skills and confidence to adapt, evolve and grow.

“This is a really big shift in the way architects think, but a necessary one if we are to meet our clients’ challenges and create the learning environments needed in the century of digital disruption.”

Contact david.c@dwp.com to find out more.

How can we create memorable experiences that also creates profit for hotel owners?

In the Instagram era, it doesn’t matter whether your hotel is five-star or frugal – guests expect it to look good. But beauty without business performance is just artistic showboating, says dwp’s Hospitality Lead, Kirk Ellis.

“Like any top tier design firm, dwp can create stunning spaces and extraordinary guest experiences. But beautiful design is the basic price of admission in most hotels. Our mission is to deliver much more than beauty,” Kirk says.

The role of today’s designer is to demonstrate how a design can deliver a higher return on investment. And this means functionality, operations and revenue generation opportunities must be front and centre.

“The first step in the design process is to understand the client’s business,” Kirk explains. “This uncovers opportunities for spaces that are not only attractive, but functional, original, durable and profitable too.”

Form, function and flow on a Playt

Beauty and the bottom line work hand-in-hand at Playt, the all-day dining restaurant at Hong Kong’s Park Lane Pullman. Inspired by street-style restaurants found in great global cities, the design incorporates industrial finishes of concrete and raw bricks, and playful works from celebrated street artist Victoriano. These industrial finishes are durable and easy to maintain.

But this success story is about more than aesthetics. All the food stations feature open kitchens, so guests can watch the chefs at work. And the separate carving stations, each with different seating arrangements, allows guests to seek out their perfect meal just as they would from a street vendor. Meanwhile, a central kitchen saves on costs and enhances functionality.

“What could have been a homogenous space is transformed into an opportunity for culinary exploration. And what could have been a large and lacklustre dining hall, is instead a series of intimate spaces that flow,” Kirk says, adding that the design clearly works, “because Playt is packed out each weekend with both visitors and locals”.

A buzzing venue that boosts revenues

Bangkok’s Ibis Styles, located on bustling Khoa San Road, also demonstrates how smart design and savvy business decisions can align. The Thai themed all-day dining restaurant is connected to a second outlet that opens directly onto a street that never sleeps. Guests can choose from the Oven-style in-house bakery, café or tapas bar, and soak up the urban atmosphere. But even more importantly, the venue attracts people wandering down the strip – many of whom may never step into the lobby of the hotel.

“This simple design solution has created a buzzing food experience, while boosting the owners’ revenues,” Kirk explains.

The opportunities to marry inspired design with business imperatives are endless.

“Does the hotel need a spa – a feature which rarely makes money – or would a rooftop bar or conference facility bring in more revenue? Does a small hotel room necessarily mean a smaller room rate, or can we create a sense of space through clever design? These are the sorts of questions we ask during the design process,” Kirk adds.

“The investment in a hotel is large and the payback period is long. The stakes are high and the competition fierce. That’s why the best hotel designs don’t just create memorable experiences. They also make money.

Contact kirk.e@dwp.com to find out how.

Most agile and activity-based workplaces may be efficient, but they aren’t exciting. What’s the secret to creating workplaces where people want to be? Look to hospitality design for some lessons in style, says dwp.

“Google may have its slippery dips between floors and Amazon its indoor rainforest, but most workplace design still misses the mark,” says dwp’s Global Workplace Lead, David Drover.

Technology is driving a rapid rethink of the office environment. In an ‘anywhere working’ world, fixed desks are like fax machines – obsolete. In fact, a recent survey of 400 multinational corporations by corporate real estate agent CBRE found that two-thirds plan to implement shared-desk and activity-based working models by 2020.

At the same time, coworking is no longer the unconventional choice for freelancers and start-ups. Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, IBM, Airbnb, Amazon and Verizon are embracing coworking not just as a space and cost saver, but as a collaboration tool and an ideas incubator. And as they do, office design becomes more important than ever before.

“Business volatility and fluctuating staff levels are driving the agile working and coworking trends, as companies look to consolidate their office space. It’s not economical to maintain space all year round for staff that may only need a work desk a couple of times a month,” says dwp’s Managing Director Bangkok, Philip Hannaford.

“Agile and coworking office environments  can also enhance collaboration, and encourage employees to rub shoulders with a wider range of colleagues, potential customers and even competitors.”

Function over form means no fun

But while activity-based working and coworking spaces might be functional, they aren’t terribly inviting, David says.

“In many cases, offices are soulless places. What’s the point in creating spaces that are agile and efficient if people don’t want to be there?”

“People crave intriguing and idiosyncratic places that ground them in their sense of place.”

David says workplace design should take its cues from the way hotels consider service and amenity.

“From the moment a guest steps foot into a hotel, it’s about the experience. And that’s something we can translate into workplace design.

“Great hotel design creates a sense of arrival, leverages every square metre of its location, and shapes each space to create special moments.”

Philip Hannaford agrees, and points to the concierge desk at many Premium and A-Grade offices which employ service companies that provides staff who are hospitality-trained, “because they understand how to deliver the front door experience”.

“Convergence” – the big buzzword across most industries – will occur in workplaces around the world, as coworking and hotel brands begin competing in the same space, Philip adds.

Expect some coworking companies to embrace hotel operating models, and some hotels to jump into coworking.

“Hotels have the brand awareness, service models and operational expertise to compete and perhaps even do it better than the current crop of coworking providers,” David explains.

“Business centres in hotels rarely offer a great experience, but a well-designed coworking environment would provide a better level of service for hotel guests and a new revenue stream for hotels.”

Efficiency and experience in equal measure

What does this mean for dwp’s clients?

“Activity-based working or coworking can undoubtedly enhance the efficiency of your space, help you get more out of your staff and reduce your real estate footprint. When 80 per cent of a company’s operating expenses come from staff salaries, even a small increase in efficiency can deliver a significant saving,” Philip says.

“The secret is to make coworking not only efficient but memorable. It’s not about design for design’s sake, but about making sure that the workspace is positioned for its unique market and location.”

Hospitality is embedded in dwp’s architectural DNA, and its team has created unique architectural experiences around Asia with buildings that anchor visitors to the place and time.

“As millennials become the new corporate leaders, commercial office fitouts can take their design cues from coworking environments that respond to the energy, innovation and ad hoc nature of start-ups, ” David concludes.

So, if you are looking for workplaces that enhance efficiency and create experiences in equal measure, speak to dwp about a solution. Contact david.d@dwp.com or philip.h@dwp.com for more information.

By midway through this century, more than two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities. According to the United Nations, our global metropolises will be home to another 2.5 billion people by 2050. Where will all these people live? Clearly, the only way is up.

While undoubtedly population growth presents some serious challenges, there is also an enormous opportunity for us to build places where people feel happier, healthier, more valued, inspired and connected.

By using design to create experiences that people truly enjoy, vertical living can bring with it a quality of life that those of us accustomed to suburban low-rise living can rarely attain. What’s more, vertical living can be a social solution to support people of all ages.

Take 98 Wireless Bangkok. This luxury condominium opened its doors last year in the Thai capital, a city expected to accommodate 10 million people by 2030. Located on tree-lined Wireless Road, Bangkok’s most prestigious boulevard, homes in this 25-storey tower are priced up to two times other luxury residences. The Beaux Arts-inspired building, home to 77 residential apartments, recently won the Luxury Residential Category at the International Design & Architecture Awards.

“The Best Comes As Standard” is the philosophy behind client Sansiri’s approach, and dwp’s architectural and interior design. This is not just about location and quality. It’s about cultivating a sense of community too.

Community is carefully curated through the building’s special services – such as a concierge and butler service, and limousine Bentley service on call for short shopping trips – through to the design of the shared spaces. The grand tea and wine lounge, with comfortable couches for relaxing, and tables for playing Bridge for example, plays host to complementary weekly afternoon teas.

Residents have access to a library, swimming pool and jacuzzi, a fitness studio, spa and massage room, all of which offer exceptional amenity. In comparison, the apartments are modest in size – because residents don’t need their own dining room if they can book the building’s facility on a whim.

The secret to 98 Wireless Bangkok is simple. By creating a vertical village, and maximising economies of scale, the residents gain access to amenities far beyond what most people could ever afford on their own. The vertical village concept applies the same philosophy as activity-based working. By trading off personal space, the shared space can work harder and deliver much, much more. 98 Wireless Bangkok represents a new breed of activity-based living.

While not everyone can afford to live in a luxury building like 98 Wireless Bangkok, we can apply similar design solutions to accommodate our growing urban populations and create places where people feel connected. This is most obviously the case when it comes to helping people to age gracefully.

As the number of people aged 60 and over doubles – rising to 2.1 billion by 2050 – we are faced with one of the most significant social challenges of our era. China alone is expected to age more rapidly than almost any other country in recent history. The UN estimates the number of people over 65 could rise from around 100 million in 2005 to 330 million in 2050. This is roughly the population of the United States, or twice the current population of Russia. Again, the solution may be found in sending our buildings skyward.

Consider Rathdowne Place in Melbourne. The design of this vertical retirement village supports positive ageing, enhances community connections, and fulfils owner Australian Unity’s promise of being “better together”. As senior advisor on the project, dwp provided input into planning and design. Australian Unity emphasises the relationship between residents and staff, and the design reflects that people-centred approach. For example, by trading additional height in return for public space, dwp’s design team created spaces that attract everyone – young and old – to be part of the community. This project not only normalises ageing, but addresses the social isolation that often comes with age.

At Rathdowne Place, older people aren’t put in rows of small boxes and kept out of sight. Instead, they are fully engaged in society through a design that encourages interaction. Lobby lounges face straight onto the street, for example, while the village café is a popular spot with locals of all ages. A whole floor of the building is dedicated to holistic health, and everyone in the community can access the hydrotherapy facilities, the chapel and rooftop terraces.

In an era where our cities are getting larger, and land is getting more valuable, vertical living can support ‘ageing in place’. Rather than pushing our senior citizens to a city’s fringes, vertical living is a way to keep older people front-and-centre.

The bottom line is clear. Our cities are growing and ageing at a rate unprecedented in all of human history. As the number of cities with one million plus residents surpasses 80, low-rise living at a large scale is no longer an option. But we can diminish social isolation and build social connectedness through human-centered, high rise design. A future that is healthier, happier and more connected awaits – and it’s found by looking to the sky.

Why not get in touch with our team at dwp to explore how we can work together  – https://dwp.com/profile/contacts-and-locations/

Leone Lorrimer and Angus Rose recently presented dwp’s vision for a hyper mixed use hypothetical development in an inner suburb of Newcastle to 250 members of the Property Council of Australia. In their keynote address, they gave insight into the application of ‘activity based work’ methodologies on urban design and how new models of asset ownership, and exploration of synergistic relationships, can drive better economic and amenity outcomes. 

In 2018 dwp is focusing on solutions to our clients’ ever changing requirements. These are often brought about by social and technological change, and ever evolving consumer behaviour.  

The ever-changing demands of consumers is one of the biggest concerns our clients have, as they seek to tailor buildings, spaces and experiences fit for the modern lifestyle. Those consumer behaviours are constantly evolving. Reacting and responding to global trends and individual needs, consumers now demand a highly customised lifestyle.

Our clients expect a premium level of service and experience from every space they engage with on a daily basis, be that the hotels they frequent, or their working and living environments. Consumers share their opinion, voicing their perspectives in real-time through a constantly evolving online feedback loop of social media and real time mobile technologies. The pressure on clients to deliver against this is enormous.

In response to our clients’ changing needs we have reshaped our group practice. Our technological infrastructure is now completely cloud based across all our systems, allowing us to work and operate as a truly global company. Our interconnected team across the world combines the best of global expertise with excellent local delivery. We move forward with our clients, responding to change in real time, improving our service and saving precious time as a result. We develop personal relationships with our clients locally and globally, even if we’re not physically in the same place.  

We’re also seeing an increased blurring of the lines between sectors, reflecting consumer behaviour. The workplace is now also the social space, a place to eat and drink as well as live and of course work. Communities are being redefined as a result; places where people with similar interests and jobs are clustering together in different parts of the city, changing the way that urban centres should be planned and designed.

We understand that every opportunity requires a bespoke solution, often requiring insight from other specialisms. We have cross fertilised our sector specialisms so that our group is fit for purpose. For example, we understand that our service can no longer simply be about providing a hotel, it’s about providing hospitality experiences, with agile work spaces and relevant retail and F&B opportunities. Tying this together with master planning and urban planning expertise, we help our clients understand and design for the minds of the consumers they seek to attract.

The year promises huge opportunities for those who are not prepared to stand still. We look forward to creating designs that solve the our clients’ problems and creating new successful partnerships.

Get in touch to find out more about how we can help – https://dwp.com/profile/contacts-and-locations/

We are delighted to announce The Good Studio, based in Hong Kong, has joined dwp to form dwp | tgs.

The Good Studio headed by Kaye Dong and Demon Cheung, has extensive interior design, project management, procurement, interior styling and branding experience in Hong Kong and Macau. Innovative, collaborative and client focused, The Good Studio is an exciting addition to the award winning dwp.

dwp | tgs will focus its efforts on delivering projects in Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China where local knowledge and insight, together with dwp’s international experience, will create more places where people want to be.

You can contact Kaye and Demon directly on kaye.d@dwp.com and demon.c@dwp.com.