< PreviousNOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 40 SPECIAL REPORT BACK TO THE OFFICE Exploring the accelerated evolution of workplace design and its expansion beyond glass walls, cubicles and kitchenettes R apidly advancing technology, the hybrid working model and a greater focus on health and wellbeing – these are but a few of the driving forces behind the changing face of workplace design in recent years. While many are quick to cite a global pandemic as the root of change, the region’s leading designer’s say change was already happening. “The pandemic simply accelerated a future that was already coming our way,” says Kristi Simpson, Principal and Global Workplace Leader for Woods Bagot. Gone are the days of segmented and hierarchal layouts with pin- board dividers among a sea of grey, as we usher in a new era of multi- purpose hubs designed to foster collaborations, spark creativity and prioritise employee wellbeing. “The value of the workspace has transformed dramatically in recent years,” says Chris Morley, Head of Design, Millerknoll. “Today it goes beyond layout to become a hub for human connections and collaborative innovation. More than ever, design must create spaces where all employees actively want to be - not just for tasks, but to build rapport that sparks creativity.” “What the last couple of years has taught us is that rapid and radical change can be readily accepted. We’ve seen transformations across how we work, huge progression in digital practice, and a rise in the recognition of the power of workplace culture and important changes in our understanding of leadership,” says Kirsti Simpson, Woods Bagot Principal, Global Workplace Leader. RAISING THE BAR After years of working home from and relishing in the liberties that it offers, much of the workforce has been hesitant to return to the offi ce full-time. “One key challenge that all employers face now is how to bring their employees back to the workplace,” says Pallavi Dean, interior designer and founder of Roar. “We are being asked to create destination café areas, inviting deep-work pods for solo work and workstations that allow users control of lighting and temperature within their own zone,” she explains. Enticing staff back to the offi ce is such a priority that businesses are willing to spend more on the design, fi t-out, and the amenities on offer. “With the proliferation of social media and real time updates, staff are more informed than ever, so awareness of offi ce amenities and expectations of offi ce offerings have increased,” says Mark Klos, Workplace Interior Design at Gensler Middle East. “This is now a deciding factor for new candidate’s opting for a job offer from offi ce A over offi ce B,” Klos adds. WHAT’S IN THE BRIEFS? “We are seeing issues of infi nite fl exibility being core to workplace briefs, with seamless functionality being the goal,” says Kirsti Simpson, Woods Bagot Principal, Global Workplace Leader. “Post-pandemic, our clients are less likely to describe a precise workplace operational model – preferring an approach that considers a hybrid way of working,” she adds. The general consensus is that the workplace now needs to be multi-purpose, and built infrastructure must work harder than ever. Effi cient layouts and a sole focus on productivity is no longer the norm. “We are now predominantly focused on an immersive environment that creates, encourages, and fosters real collaboration. This collaboration must be mixed mode – physical and virtual – with an equivalence of experience being a key goal,” says Simpson of what she’s observed in client briefs for workplace design. Privacy is another key issue that has jumped up the list of inclusion. “Personal spaces are some of the most common inclusions in briefs – not just for focus work, but also for privacy as people got used to fewer people around during the workday during the pandemic, and now fi nd the offi ce over stimulating,” says Mark Klos. “Awareness of and respect for neurodiversity is also now part of the offi ce project design development process,” he adds. Technology is also more important than ever, and while it sounds like “At its best, design combines aesthetics, ergonomics, technology and emotion to craft workspaces that uplift employees and drive progress” Chris Morley, Head of Design, Millerknoll.CID’s Interior Design of the Year: Offi ce DMCC HQ designed by RoarNOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 42 RESIDENTIAL an obvious request for an offi ce space, the competitive market for new hires calls for higher quality inclusions. “Advanced technology is an expectation – better-performing meeting rooms, connectivity in furniture and outdoor spaces and better portable devices,” Klos says. FOCUS ON CULTURE “Design infl uences culture,” says Pallavi Dean. “We spend 89 percent of our time indoors, so the space we work in has a huge impact on our productivity, state of mind and general wellbeing,” she explains. The next generation of the workforce is holding their employers to higher standards, and the workplace is rising to the occasion as a result. “We already understood the role culture plays in the success of a workplace but now we know that we must amplify culture, “says Kirsti Simpson, Woods Bagot Principal, Global Workplace Leader. “Because the workplace now encompasses the offi ce, the home and other spaces, the contemporary challenge is to ensure that culture and business strategy are communicated and understood. The route to this outcome is through the process of making the workplace experience even more immersive.” WELLBEING AT WORK Health and wellness is a high priority among workplaces, and it expands beyond the personal. “Occupiers are increasingly making decisions about where to lease space based upon the “green” credentials of the landlord and base building, with the base building often expected to do the heavy lifting,” says Woods Bagot’s Simpson. “Tenants are also demanding democratic access to naturally ventilated green spaces where teams can rest, meet, and work,” she adds. The list of amenity inclusions is also growing, as kitchenettes and coffee stations no longer suffi ce and employers become more conscious of the diverse needs of staff. “Places to retreat for quiet, concentrated work and the neurodiverse are key to prioritising wellness through design,” Simpson says. For award-winning designer Pallavi Dean, wellness is top of mind in all of her fi rm’s offi ce projects. “It’s the norm to have a dedicated nap pod, a wellness and meditation zone as well as a new parent space in all our designs,” says Dean. “Aside from this, we incorporate walking pads, TRX stretch band zones and furniture to keeps your core active – fan favourites include the Technogym ball for seating and the WilkhahnStitz stool.” HYBRID BENEFITS As businesses campaign to draw the workforce back into the offi ce, they are still catering to the hybrid model of work – and for good reason. “This encompasses both working-from- home (WFH) and in-offi ce days, and is an effective way to reduce real estate costs while also providing employees with fl exibility,” explains Pallavi Dean. “Commute times are reduced with online meetings, travel expenses are reduced with the help of tools such as Matterport remote site supervision and real estate costs are cut by using hot desks, as opposed to dedicated workstations,” says Pallavi Dean. Gensler’s Mark Klos has also observed the way clients are reaping the benefi ts of the hybrid model. “Some clients are downsizing or subletting – while the majority of our clients are adapting their spaces to accommodate hybrid working and more fl exible collaborative spaces.” FUTURE EVOLUTION The change has already been signifi cant and fast moving, but the offi ce continues to evolve and adapt. “Space as a service will be the next trend in offi ce spaces,” predicts Kirsti Simpson from Woods Bagot. “The fl exibility required by tenants will signifi cantly increase the amount shared amenity in needed offi ce buildings, so the buildings will compete based on amenity levels, brand, and customer service, just like restaurants and hotels. Communal kitchen space in the White and Case Offi ce designed by Roar43 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 Offering offi ce design, fi t-out and full turnkey interior solutions, Xworks Interiors is making its mark on the region’s design industry THE X FACTOR O n September 9, 2009 the Dubai metro fl agged off and so did Xworks Interiors. The innovative full-turnkey services fi rm has been operating in Dubai ever since, and expanded into Abu Dhabi in 2016 where the fi rm launched a second offi ce to cater to growing demand. As operations continued to expand, Xworks Interiors opened a brand new, state-of-the-art offi ce in the heart of Reem Island in 2022. Today, the fi rm is intent on working towards one primary goal: being the best in the business. Adopting an ethos that champions quality fi rst, building and maintaining strong relationships and clear communication, Xworks Interiors is well on the way. “One of the keys to our success is communication, talking to the clients, discussing things, bringing the expertise to the table that we have gathered over the years - this is where the good results lie,” says Soren Kraen, executive director and owner. Champions for sustainable design Sustainability is an essential consideration for Xworks Interiors, and the fi rm’s commitment to a better future was recently recognised with LEED Gold Certifi cation at the new Abu Dhabi offi ce, constructed in 2022. ISO certifi cation is high on the priority list along with detailed research on adopting a zero-carbon policy, hiring new talents, and rolling out educational programs for staff such as LEED AP, PMP certifi cations and new market expansions in store. Industry recognition With an impressive and ever-growing portfolio, Xworks Interiors has completed more than 400 projects for a wide range of clients. The fi rm was recently awarded the Highly Commended Interior Fit-Out Firm of the Year (Small Scale) trophy at the CID Awards: MENA 2023. An expanding portfolio Notable past projects of Xworks Interiors include 3M, Alstom Transport, Canon Middle East, Cracknell Landscape Design LLC, Interface Europe Ltd, SAP House Dubai at Expo 2020, Maersk Line, Worley, Wizz Air, Zaha Hadid Architects, and AECOM to name a few, though the best is yet to come. In 2023, Xworks Interiors has secured new work across a range of diverse industries, including energy, oil and gas, real estate, shipping, health, banking and fi nance, IT, and creative agencies. Watch this space. PARTNER CONTENTNOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 44 OPINION Jon Humphreys, Creative Partner and Co-owner of the UK’s Sheila Bird Studio, says one sector above all others is moving towards the offi ce of the future HOW TECH IS EMBRACING MODULAR DESIGN M odular design has long captured our imaginations when thinking about how technology can infl uence the future of cities. Plug-in cities promised a future where the buildings in which we live, work and play could expand and adapt to changing needs. Visions of evolving megastructures that were once ahead of their time are now coming to fruition, particularly in the Middle East with schemes like The Line. But even on the smaller scale of interior design, modular thinking is infl uencing how we can use space more fl exibly and respond to growth and changing needs, most notably within the business world. It’s no secret that the tech sector is one of the fastest growing in the world. With tech ecosystems accelerating at pace the world over, business growth for ambitious start-ups and scale-ups comes with rapidly changing operational needs – one of the most important of which involves workspace. As a business evolves, so must the space it inhabits. Many companies will occupy a space for a number of years, sometimes decades, but in the tech sector, where growth can happen quickly, fi rms can outgrow their offi ce spaces much faster. With the rise of hybrid working, tech companies and their employees often require working environments that are fl exible, adaptable and enable agile ways of working – and the adoption of modular design within the tech sector marks a change in thinking about how commercial spaces can operat. Leading artifi cial intelligence company, Peak, needed a home that would enable their ambitious plans for expansion while retaining their strong, cohesive company culture and creating a space that allowed for collaboration. Crucially, though, as a growing business, Peak required an offi ce setup that could easily be adapted to their changing needs. Taking a modular design approach made perfect sense for the tech scale-up. Rather than separating out their HQ by function or department, we looked at how the space could be divided by purpose, creating dedicated zones that aligned with different styles and objectives of working. This meant ditching the traditional partitioning of rooms and, instead, using modular furniture, planting on wheels and movable pods and trellises to create areas that fl owed into one another – smart, customisable spaces that worked for different individuals and teams, helped to maximise productivity, and allowed for collaboration. One of the most important benefi ts of embracing the modular movement is the power it puts in the hands of businesses to continually shape and adapt their spaces to suit ever- changing commercial needs. While most working environments can’t evolve at the same speed that a business itself does, modular design enables the customisation and repurposing of spaces to always match the current business need. But alongside the myriad advantages in terms of future- proofi ng offi ce spaces, modular design embraces sustainability and the creative reuse of materials and resources. Traditional offi ce fi touts can have a major impact on the environment – from building rooms to reconfi guring spaces and altering mechanical and electrical services, building works can incur huge costs to both pocket and planet. Taking a modular approach greatly minimises this risk and actively reduces the carbon footprint of companies that choose to adopt it. Everything is treated as a piece of furniture, from rooms to fl oor coverings. Just pack up and leave a clear space for the next occupier when it’s time to move on, with minimal delapse costs and waste. It’s clear that the traditional offi ce isn’t a relic of the past just yet, and modular design won’t always be the right approach for every business. But the tech sector, with its future-facing outlook and need for agile working methods, is certainly setting the agenda for what the future of the offi ce could look like. Modular design has unexplored applications, but as the working world continues to change, its wider adoption might just be the missing ingredient for growth. “Tradtitional offi ces aren’t over just yet, but the tech sector is setting the agenda for the future of offi ce design”45 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 PARTNER CONTENT Corrine Sunter, sales director at The Total Offi ce, shares her expert insight on the impact of quality furniture and supplies in the workspace. SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT: THE TOTAL OFFICE Workplace design is always evolving. How is the furniture keeping up? Work places may be evolving, however while one aspect of it is getting more advanced in technology, the other aspect of the workplace is getting softer and more agile, with virtually every functional element being put on castors to wheel around and reconfi gure. Also, while contract grade fabric is still required in the workplace, the demand of more residential, tactile fabrics are demanded to shift the experience of interacting with the same furniture. Rugs are framing spaces on the fl oor where a monotonous carpet once covered the entire space, and furniture is integrated with all sorts of power and charging functionality, while also being able to double up as storage to bring more value to the product. How can quality furniture impact the workplace, both aesthetically and for the benefi t of staff? Quality products are tested for durability, ergonomics and sustainability. Each of these are key aspects of buying quality products from well-established manufacturers. It goes without saying that each of these manufacturers work with renowned product designers to make them award winning in both function and form. The immediate benefi t to workplace settings using quality products are also quite subtle. They are tested for low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) as a standard which aren’t available across all manufacturers. These are some of the bad actors in employee wellness among other more fatal illnesses. How can furniture affect culture? While many aspects of a workplace fi t-out play key roles in the design of a space, furniture is what your body engages with all the time. The product you are provided can speak volumes of how your organisation treats its employees. A good chair, a multitude of social collaborative spaces and private zones, are all key aspects to making a person feel comfortable, safe and productive. Furniture helps to demarcate these zones, as well as promoting a more positive culture. What trends are you noticing? Everything is dictated on experiential settings. Work spaces have become more stylish, hospitality driven and more daring with vibrant colours. Everyone is in a war on talent and having a workspace that makes heads turn can mean the difference between retaining a star and losing them out to a competitor. Three tips for sourcing offi ce furniture and supplies: 1 Sustainable products do not have to be more expensive, or less stylish than others. 2 While fi lling a space with eclectic products may look great, shipping individual products from manufacturers leads to a very expensive project. Consolidating products as much as possible with a minimal amount of manufacturers can help save your client money and get your project completed on time. 3 Have design workshops with multiple suppliers in the room at the concept stage to see if the companies have the capability of delivering within the time frame. It saves the designer’s time, and suppliers don’t mind being in the room with each other.NOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 46 RESIDENTIAL FINE ART The Japandi aesthetic meets desert style inside this modern family sanctuary in Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates47 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 RESIDENTIAL F unctional, clean and elegant was the brief for this forever-home in Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates. The homeowners, both lawyers, share a passion for interior design, investing and real estate development. The pair sought out the services of inter-disciplinary studio C’est ici Design shortly after purchasing the villa in 2022, with a scope that included the interior design and build including hard and soft fi nishes, joinery and fi t out for the renovation for the 1,500 sqm home. Tasked with creating a practical yet chic home, C’est Ici applied Japandi principles (a fusion of Japanese aesthetics and Scandinavian design) to transform the interiors into a calm and uncluttered space where natural materials like wood and marble combine with rustic stone cladding and textured plaster to create an elegant visual symphony. The interiors are defi ned by the copious use of timber and stone, with an unexpected touch of metals and pops of brown textiles peppered throughout the space. Wood veneers bring a sense of warmth and homeliness to the architectural elements of the home, like the staircase, fi t-out joinery, ceiling cladding, and furniture. White painted raw woods feature in shelving and customised round tables, while cleverly repurposed and locally- sourced raw wood, previously used in boats, have also gone into the making of bespoke pieces for this project. A timeless, opulent aesthetic is achieved through a combination of travertine, marbles as diverse as Emperador, Arabescato and Marquina and natural stone-inspired ultracompact carbon neutral surface Dekton by Cosentino. Every room features a selection of ceramic, linen, stone, and wooden elements to visually tie the spaces together. A micro-cement fl ooring seamlessly covers the villa, right from the basement to the ground and fi rst fl oor, providing a neutral and resilient foundation to offset the textile and furniture that softens the spaces. In this oasis of calm, a collection of high-end furniture, curated for both beauty and utility, sits in conversation with over 40 bespoke pieces of C’est ici-designed furniture and crafted elements. Against the pared-back palette of sun-bleached sand and warm terracotta, bright colours are introduced subtly through home accessories, adding a touch of cheer. The expansiveness of the desert is evoked through the open planning and double height spaces, while its spirit is celebrated through the hues and integration of desert fl ora in the interiors. Washed in plenty of natural light, the home is a picture of simplicity and minimalism with its clean lines and understated luxury. It is also a perfect meeting ground of the client’s aspirations and the studio’s inspiration. NOVEMBER 2023 commercialinteriordesign.com 48 FIRST LOOK The main door opens into a grand double height atrium with a minimal touch of furniture - two statement pieces: a soft brown lounge and a bespoke console crafted from raw wood and Emperador marble (opposite). The most striking element of the space is the tall room divider, a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Japanese shoji screen. Swivel panels are dressed in linen, delineating the entrance lobby from the show kitchen and informal dining space behind, without disrupting the open, fl uid layout of the home. The look is balances by a series of organic shaped Bocci pendent lamps fl oating above like passing clouds. A sleek Poliform kitchen is the centre of action in this multi-use space housing the informal living and dining. The simplicity of its design is elevated with a marble backsplash. 49 commercialinteriordesign.com NOVEMBER 2023 RESIDENTIAL marble offi ce desk with its striking white veins makes a power statement in an otherwise neutral workspace. Artifi cial lighting for the villa is executed through the use of Vibia and Louis Paulsen LED sources, controlled by an intelligent lighting system to reduce energy consumption. The informal dining is defi ned by an oblong table with a Dekton Danae countertop from Cosentino. This statement piece is paired with an eclectic combination of armchairs, a black Joni bench from Custom No.9 and ceramic accessories that complete the picture. The informal living, an extension of the dining and kitchen space, gets its tranquil style from the low height furniture pieces, clean lines softened with a sprinkling of curved edges, the ‘shoji’ partition and the wooden lattice shutters of the TV wall unit. Wooden sliding doors from the informal living leads into a large T-shaped space accommodating the formal dining, bar, living and a sunken seating area. Anchoring the formal dining space is a bespoke dining table for ten with a Dekton Khalo counter top from Cosentino. The ultra-polished surface and Patagonia stone inspired hue of the countertop compliment the metal mesh feature wall and offers a counterpoint to the organic textures of wood and ceramic accessories. The rounded edges of the countertop complement thecurved backrest of the dining chairs while the colours sync in perfect harmony. The twin camel brown Gubi Pacha armchairs and a custom designed coffee table with an amorphous top and uneven wooden legs are stand out elements in the formal living. Bespoke is taken to a whole new level within the bar, a culmination of the collaborative efforts of several skilled teams including wine cooler specialists who lent their expertise to customize the technical aspects of the design. Minimal yet rich with a range of complimenting materials and textures. Highly functional Dekton Kira engineered stone from Cosentino clads the worktops of the bar, yet it is the fl oating raw monkey wood counter top from Slab House that truly captivates the eye. CNC- carved Japanese style shutters, sleek backlit glass displays and textured paint fi nish from Colortek enchant the space. Adjacent to the formal living and bar is a sunken seating area, a hallmark of traditional Japanese interiors, with a wall-to-wall sliding door and a step out into the patio and landscaped garden beyond. Japandi aesthetics extend into the light and airy home offi ce upstairs with white curtains, linen elements and the use of walnut and terracotta wood, making work-from-home a pleasure. A custom-made Marquina Next >