SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT AND PRECEDENT STUDIES
For the interior I wasn’t completely sure what type of spaces and items that an architectural small firm or a graphic designer office had. So I conducted a couple of precedents to get inspiration and ideas of how I could spatially arrange the office areas and what rooms they maybe. Afterwards, all the ideas I got from these precedents I used to create my own visual drawings of what I would like my spaces to look like. From there, the drawings would help me to formulate the ground floor and upper level plans, as well as sections.
Examples of Architectural Spaces
The Offices Of Zecc Architects
This is a small firm (consisting of eight employers) and it was designed to be LOW COST. It has inexpensive materials, however what I can take from this is although this is the case the firm still looks very good. They have made good use of a small space.
Things I would like to include in my design:
References:
http://officesnapshots.com/2012/07/02/the-offices-of-zecc-architects
Things I would like to include in my design:
- The idea of having a logo
- Having a dining/ eating area
- Having a computer and desk
- Having an area of exhibiting models
- Having a library of books
- Taking ideas that generate a low cost
References:
http://officesnapshots.com/2012/07/02/the-offices-of-zecc-architects
HFH Architects – Cambridge Offices
This firm is said to have a daily buzz (as also demonstrated by the elaborate, funky design of the office). Designed by Josep Luis Sert, the building comprises of large kitchen commons, an activity hub, hosts lunchtime presentations, private offices, small conference rooms and more.
It is said to be colourful to ‘stimulate creativity’ in the workplace, through the cushions on a long seat against the wall.
There are private offices as the firm believes individual work is very important, to enable quiet and productive work. So there is a mixture of open and closed spaces.
Things I would like to include in my design:
References:
http://officesnapshots.com/2015/01/07/hmfh-architects-cambridge-offices/
It is said to be colourful to ‘stimulate creativity’ in the workplace, through the cushions on a long seat against the wall.
There are private offices as the firm believes individual work is very important, to enable quiet and productive work. So there is a mixture of open and closed spaces.
Things I would like to include in my design:
- A meeting room or a conference area.
- Drawing tables and computer desks (put near each other)
- A private closed of room for client discussions or and an open one
- Seating area
- Reception area
References:
http://officesnapshots.com/2015/01/07/hmfh-architects-cambridge-offices/
Here is a drawing of just using some of the elements used in the Architecture studios. This is supposed to be a small intimate room that I want the client and designer to designer to discuss plans, ideas etc. This idea came from HFH Architects with the glass sliding doors and small rooms. I thought that some spaces could be open and others more private.
Moscow Architects Studio
This architect and designer firm’s vision of design is opposite from the SelgaCano design (which will be mentioned later). As it aims to achieve minimalistic plain design to avoid designers and architects from rather getting distracted. Hence the white and black with only the yellow to logos and other small bits of yellow that stand out.
The office (the computer area) has a large volume of height with two floors as one floor. Some of the walls are also used to hang up previous work.
It consists of a leisure space, a reception zone, a conference/ meeting area, a coffee point, and open space zones.
Things I would like to include in my design:
References:
http://officesnapshots.com/2014/08/05/ind-architects-moscow-architecture-studio/
The office (the computer area) has a large volume of height with two floors as one floor. Some of the walls are also used to hang up previous work.
It consists of a leisure space, a reception zone, a conference/ meeting area, a coffee point, and open space zones.
Things I would like to include in my design:
- Again a reception area and a seating area combines
- A computer area (this could be shared between the architect and the graphic designer).
- A private closed of group meeting room
- Again the idea of a logo
- A way of exhibiting work
- Using two floors as one
References:
http://officesnapshots.com/2014/08/05/ind-architects-moscow-architecture-studio/
Inside T+T Architects’ Moscow Office (Smaller Firm)
This firm has a lot of natural light (with the addition of light fixtures). There is a division between the working spaces (with a central “nave”- a central block), with also glass partitioning into other smaller rooms.
They also have wooden beams in which are in their natural colour.
There is also a gathering point, where all meetings are held, lectures, discussions and social meetings.
Things I would like to include in my design:
References:
http://officesnapshots.com/2013/08/29/inside-tt-architects-moscow-office/
They also have wooden beams in which are in their natural colour.
There is also a gathering point, where all meetings are held, lectures, discussions and social meetings.
Things I would like to include in my design:
- Again a private conference area
- Since it is a small space I like how the spaces are all combined together instead of being separated into separate rooms.
- The use of wooden rafters and wooden beams
- Could create a “nave” to divide graphic designer and architect spaces, then also have some shared as well.
- An eating area/ social area as well
References:
http://officesnapshots.com/2013/08/29/inside-tt-architects-moscow-office/
Here is just a quick sketch of how I wanted the shared computer and desk area. I wanted large windows and drawing desks to be next to the window so that designers could get a lost of daylight to be able to see well (which I got from 'Soldier Design').
Here's a second drawing from the one above. This one is a bit more stylistic, with an added bookshelf and I also wanted to use sliding doors (which most of the precedents I looked at used).
Examples of Graphic Designer Workspaces
Soldier Design
Soldier Design
This is a designers firm in Cambridge, consisting of young graphic designers, which is displayed by the stylistic appearance.
The area is open and allows lots of natural light. The computers are aligned along the window wall to allow for lots of room for doing projects (so that it is not tight). The place also has sliding doors.
The office looks very similar to an Architect’s office, this means that I can share most of the spaces such as the meeting table area and the computers with desks.
Things I would like to include in my design:
References:
http://ibrandstudio.com/inspiration/a-showcase-of-inspiring-graphic-designer-offices
The area is open and allows lots of natural light. The computers are aligned along the window wall to allow for lots of room for doing projects (so that it is not tight). The place also has sliding doors.
The office looks very similar to an Architect’s office, this means that I can share most of the spaces such as the meeting table area and the computers with desks.
Things I would like to include in my design:
- Youthful, edgy design
- A photography room or space
- Sliding doors
- Larger windows to create large amounts of natural lights
- Have a reasonably open area
- Computers and desks along the wall to allow space (long side against the wall)
References:
http://ibrandstudio.com/inspiration/a-showcase-of-inspiring-graphic-designer-offices
Here's a start of a plan just trying to jot down the spaces and items I would include in the design, it is not a final one, its just for putting all the ideas I got from looking at the architectural and graphic designer studio precedents.
Things I would improve:
- I would need to add stairs.
- I want to extend the workshop and computer space, whilst decreasing the reception area and exhibition area.
- Swap the client-designer room with the conference room, so that client can conveniently go from reception to the client-designer room for their appointment.
- No windows in some sides of the wall.
Things I would improve:
- I would need to add stairs.
- I want to extend the workshop and computer space, whilst decreasing the reception area and exhibition area.
- Swap the client-designer room with the conference room, so that client can conveniently go from reception to the client-designer room for their appointment.
- No windows in some sides of the wall.