In 2011 British Council for Offices and Property Week's competition was to design a working environment for about 5,000 employees on a fictional island called Riduna. The winning submission by architects tp bennett, featured here, was motivated by research which found that more than two-thirds of people believe their workplaces do not inspire creativity.
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| Adaptable buildings: Also known as remote collaboration units, these are flexible modular pods that adapt their size to suit the needs and numbers of their occupants tp bennett |
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| The beach: Remote collaboration units make it possible to work almost anywhere. A translucent shell allows the building to expand or contract as appropriate for energy consumption for the task in hand – whether brain storming, delivery of presentations, or solitary working. Desks will be elevated from the floor to suit guest numbers tp bennett |
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| Cliffs: On top are pods, while below is a work deck for those with the desire – and abseiling skills – to get away from it all; taking the concept of flexible working to an extreme tp bennett |
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| Overcladding: Existing buildings are wrapped in an environmental overcoat to upgrade the building fabric to meet energy performance standards and creates a 'new old town' style tp bennett |
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| Pub, cafe, bar or restaurant? The individual can choose the style of environment in which to work. Break out at the end of an intense brainstorm with colleagues for a pint of mild or a gin and tonic tp bennett |
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| Telephone booth: Cloud networks have made telephone booths redundant for their original purpose – but not obsolete. Instead they have been converted for use as secure login points in case you forget your PDA or laptop tp bennett |
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| The town: The heart of the workplace community – a cluster of civic buildings re-used for both work and play. The smaller support buildings are expanded into the streets and squares, linking primary functions and providing break-out meeting places. Here the library, town hall, cinema and visitor centre serve workplace community needs, facilitate company gatherings, and provide the environment for chance encounters, gossip and a shared joke tp bennett |
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