Co-working spaces are rapidly growing in popularity in the startup and small business sectors offering founders an affordable workplace away from home, a sense of community and all the benefits of collaborative working.
But what goes into designing a co-working space that allows for the collaboration of ideas while optimising individual productivity? We sat down with Associate Architect Suzanne Goodson and Senior Interior Designer Severina Galvin to find out what went on behind the scenes of the design of Inbox on 3, a co-working space located in Maroochydore on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
Q: What was the inspiration behind the design?
Suzanne: The design was based on the concept of transitioning from shelter to exposure, a metaphor for how we viewed arriving at the beach – departing your vehicle, navigating vegetation and sand dunes as you walk out to the open beach and water’s edge.
The amazing location the building created natural synergies to what we wanted to provide. In the design of Inbox on 3, ocean views are gradually revealed as you navigate through the workspace and move from glazed private offices to semi-enclosed feature pods and then open edge workspaces. This allowed us to take advantage of the views while providing the occupants with a blend of privacy and the opportunity to collaborate.
Q: What were the main objectives that needed to be achieved?
Suzanne: With a desire to create a high-end workspace for platinum members, the main objective of the design was to create a luxurious workspace that skilfully balanced interaction for collaboration and retreat for high-concentration work.
As the client wanted to reach a particular occupancy, a mix of offices including private offices, workspace pods and open plan desks were necessary to achieve this.
Q: What challenges did you face through the design process?
Severina: One of the big challenges we faced through the design process was planning the layout to achieve all objectives. We needed to provide privacy and a sense of enclosure through the workplace without compromising the access to daylight, ocean views and opportunities for the exchange of ideas. We also needed to maximise the letting area while still creating fun and inviting breakout spaces.
Suzanne: As Inbox on 3 was the second co-working space we’ve designed for Inbox, following the success of Inbox on 2, one of the design challenges we experienced was to create a unique, luxurious workspace on 3 while also ensuring it tied into the design on 2.
Q: What are your favourite design elements?
Severina: My favourite design element is the meandering angled low height spine walls with planters that skirt the workspace pods and trace a path through the space reminiscent of the water’s edge.
Suzanne: I love the beautifully appointed kitchen. Often these spaces are very practical and not at all welcoming, and this is something we were motivated to change through the design. The result is a space that is both beautiful and relaxing.
Q: Why did you choose the colours and materials?
Suzanne: The material pallet selected was minimal and predominantly dark with navy and black and accents of rich copper, gold trims and smoky mirrors to provide a sense of depth and opulence. The teal through the design is representative of the ocean, as we wanted this to have a starring role.
The colours and materials were also chosen to marry in with the floor below, while also still being different enough to create a unique workspace for platinum members.
Q: Did you include any sustainable features?
Severina: LED lighting and low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) materials were used in the design. We also made a point of installing a shower room that was previously not available to building users. While this isn’t a direct sustainable feature of the building, it does provide ‘end of trip’ facilities to encourage workers to use alternative transport like cycling.
Suzanne: When working in an existing building you can be limited when it comes to sustainable inclusions. We did, however, make conscious choices around air quality including a dramatic curved living green wall, and internal screens that are planted out.
Q: What are your top tips for designing an office space?
Severina: Environmental sustainability should be high on your list of priorities when designing an office space as it can have significant benefits for both the client and end-user. Engaging a collaborative design team of architects and interior designers can also work to your advantage as together they can explore and develop the design in a way that achieves a more considered and refined space.
Suzanne: The key is to take a good brief from the client and also the users to find out what is needed and wanted for the space. Then it is a matter of finding how you can add value and uniqueness of the area without compromising on functionality and practicality. With commercial projects, we like to consider the triple bottom line to create commercial spaces that achieve maximum yields for owners, are flexible and appealing workspaces for tenants and are inviting and welcoming to customers and the general public.
To view Inbox on 3 and more of our commercial projects click here[HYPERLINK TO: https://www.guymerbailey.com.au/projects-all?tag=Commercial+and+Civic],or contact us on 07 3870 9700 (Brisbane) or 03 8547 5000 (Melbourne).