Central Plaza
A hug can comfort almost anyone. Like a hug from a person, the hugging office aims to provide this comfort through the integration of Biophilic Design, and to provide privacy for the occupants. The placement and orientation of the office are such that the noise levels and views of city activities are minimised and that the idea of bringing in the park to the office was to be maximised. This was evident in diverting the cycling route through the centre of the two towers where it divides, as bringing in the park also means bringing in the idea of leisure and relaxation, to reduce anxiety and occurrence of episodes.
Massing Exploration
Final Model 1:150
6 massing modules were explored with the common point of having other and inner rounded faces. The inner face for the hugging gestures and the other face to maximise views to the waterfront and to make activities for the waterfront.
Within the office, the ground floor provides different levels of discussion spaces of privacy, ranging from enclosed private meeting rooms to outdoor pods for single use. The materials and colours were studied and chosen to enhance the effect of calm. The qualities of home was also studied, with reference to Samuel Gosling’s paper on how different spaces in home make people feel.
The home spaces that were relevant to the office spaces were narrowed down
- Master Bedroom
- Study Room
- Entry Way
- Living Room
The 3 main values among all the others that were chosen were
- Relaxation: Relaxation is needed to prevent an episode.
- Privacy: Privacy is needed during an episode.
- Rejuvenation is needed after an episode.
Hugging Entrance
Linkway between Rent Office and Private Pods
Central Garden
The Central Garden is an area of peace within the office. Situated between the 2 lobbies, it provides spaces for discussion and quiet work areas all fully immersed in greenery. Spaces for mediation are also available, which is situated away from the office but close enough to minimise contract with people.
Meditation Pods in Central Garden
Study Pods in Central Garden
Entrance to Rental Office
Office for Rent
The Rental Office aims to blur the boundaries between an office and a home, by bringing the comforts of home and productivity of a office.
Private Floating Pods
Exhibition Area
Meeting Area
The meeting areas are intentionally inserted into the voids that accommodate the trees, to allow the person who is presenting to be immersed in nature and reduce the levels of anxiety. This is part of the strategy to bringing the park into the office.
Office Module
The office modules are a balance between a fully open planned office and a cubicle. The foam wall provides privacy and sound insulation while the plants on the module acts as a semi-shield of the occupant from others. Green elements has also been dotted around the floors to enhance the Biophilic effect.
Original source from: http://asd.courses.sutd.edu.sg/option-studio-two/2021/08/15/the-invisible-dialogues-the-hugging-office-finals/
