Artistic licence

No one values imaginative presentation more than creative professionals. Designing office space that reflects the values and endeavours of its artistic occupants was the challenge presented to interior designer, Belinda Wight of Elan Creative.

"We recognised a lack of quality, serviced offices for creative professionals, and young entrepreneurs. Our goal was to provide a space where graphic artists, entrepreneurs, designers and web editors could work in synergy, in an orchestrated office environment, without overcapitalising," says Wight.

The Office Space accommodates a shared reception, 18 private offices and three communal boardrooms.

Upon arrival clients are greeted by a red ribbon motif that is also part of the signage. Running along the floor and walls it acts as a navigational device weaving a common thread through the office corridors. The ribbons terminate in red pipe sculptures, designed by Wight, at the end of the three corridors.

Oversized doors slide open off these corridors to reveal simple but well-equipped offices. All those hiring office space have access to the shared meeting rooms and reception area for both entertaining and meeting with clients.

Soft lighting and warm, comfortable furnishings, particularly in these shared spaces, create a homeliness not normally associated with serviced offices. A Moooi oval pendant light fixture hangs in the initial meeting room, along with Eames plastic chairs with maple bases, and long, fringed drapes that create privacy without darkening the room.

Concealed fluorescent lighting bounces between white ceilings and a concrete floor finished with a shiny epoxy resin, creating an illusion of sunlight in areas devoid of windows. Red Kartell Icon pendant lights hang above a break-out area, that encourages workers to mingle and collaborate.

"The Office Space is designed to be a fun environment, and to work like one big machine, with each office contributing to the overall energy," says Wight.