Every picture tells a story

Architects and designers are always bringing their creativity to bear on projects for other companies and clients, which makes it all the more interesting to see what approach they take for the design of their own premises.

When international award-winning architectural firm Benoy consolidated its Hong Kong operations into one building, it was crucial that the office reflect the company's strong design ethos. Project designer John Denton says the design also needed to recognise the priority Benoy places on sustainability and collaborative work practices.

"True to Benoy's philosophy, the design goes beyond the norm to create a three-dimensional interpretation of the company's brand identity," he says.

"Benoy's existing branding features bold illustrations of completed projects. These recognisable graphics have been reproduced on layered glazing around the office. Using a textured application of Benoy's signature graphic language, we created a separate identity for each conference and meeting room they are named after celebrated Benoy projects around the world. Each meeting room is also defined by a bright primary colour, which features on the walls as well as in the graphics."

Denton says this bold treatment counters the warm tonal greys that are predominant in the reception.

"We wanted to create a calm, welcoming environment for clients," says Denton. "The warm greys are an ideal backdrop to the brighter accent colours."

The design also plays with textural contrasts office walls in the reception area feature backpainted glass, and the grey carpet is bisected by a wide pathway of limestone tiles.

"The tile pathway leads directly to the boardroom, which, in order to maximise the view, is positioned on the corner of the building, some distance from the reception area," says Denton. "The limestone flooring helps to break down that distance and creates a sense of procession."

Added visual interest is provided by the oblique angle of the boardroom, meeting rooms and pathway.

"Positioning these rooms at a 10° angle provides the best views over the harbour," says the designer. "We have deliberately pulled the meeting rooms away from the window wall to encourage circulation around the outside. The entrances to these rooms are all at the back. This arrangement also creates negative space between the meeting rooms. These areas can be used as breakout spaces and are ideal places to display art installations and architectural models."

Denton says workstations are positioned around the perimeter of the office, ensuring staff can enjoy the outlook and natural light. The workstations are arranged in three distinct groups, with communal facilities.

"Interaction and knowledge sharing among the teams are encouraged by the addition of open work areas and informal meeting spaces where staff can review designs and communicate freely on project issues. Large pinboards with display rails allow teams to display their work, helping to share ideas and promoting a creative working environment."

The social ambience is further encouraged by the Benoy Bar an area where staff can meet informally, have lunch, or simply sit and enjoy the architectural library. The bar is accented by bright, citrus-coloured furnishings and maple wood veneers.

"It reflects a work hard, play hard philosophy," says Denton. "We encourage staff to use this space for informal meetings. It has a studio feel there is an adjacent area for workshop modelling."

Wherever possible, sustainable materials were used in the interior. The acoustic Echo-panel pinboards, for example, are an environmentally friendly product. In addition, 5574m² of Interface carpet lifted from one of the old offices was relaid in the new office. Other materials were also recycled, and paper, plastics and tin are separated for recycling on an ongoing basis.

"Maximising the daylight has helped with energy efficiency," says the designer. "The need for artificial lighting is reduced and controlled through power-saving strategies adopted in the design of the electrical systems. For example, switches at the end of each row of workstations make it easy for staff to turn off the power when desks are not in use."

Denton says Benoy is a keen supporter of the local art scene, and is participating in an art rotation programme.

"We like to promote the use of art to clients when working on projects, and have taken the opportunity to show how effectively this can work in the corporate environment. Twice a year, Benoy displays work from a particular artist around the office. The current stainless steel sculptures are by celebrated Hong Kong artist Danny Lee.

"The art is just as much for our staff as for our clients it says a lot about who we are and how we operate."

Story by: Colleen Hawkes