INTERIOR FEATURE
BRIDGE PARK OFFICES
INTERIOR DESIGN: DHK THINKSPACE
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PHOTOGRAPHY: WIELAND GLEICH
his financial services client recently moved into their new
flagship Western Cape offices at Bridge Park, Century
City. Consolidating 14 regional offices under one roof, this
new location allowed the client to make creative use of the latest
trends in office design and space planning and provide their staff
with a workplace for the future.
Originally designed by dhk Architects, Bridge Park was built for
multiple tenants and consists of an east and west wing. Interior
Architects, dhk thinkspace, worked closely with the client on the
interior fit-out to accomplish a successful amalgamation of the
entire building to suit their requirements. The original architectural
design of the building has been carried through into the interiors,
creating a seamless flow.
The initial challenge was to open up the buildings and provide
a link between the two. Originally the building was designed with
an inner core light well, with passages radiating off the lift lobby
on each floor. Passages have now been converted and each floor
opened up to benefit from the views around the central atrium
space. The ground floor of the east block caters for interaction
with clients, with executive suites providing work lounges
and meeting spaces for private clients. Here, finishes reflect a
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classy, high-end atmosphere, with a high acoustic specification
to ensure privacy.
A Different Approach
Guido Tagge, director of dhk thinkspace, says that the staff were
used to working in a more closed office culture so this move
required a change of thinking with regards to operational and
meeting spaces and the removal of a traditional office set-up.
The client wanted to break away from their standard corporate
look and feel and this new design is not a ‘one size fits all’ type
of interior common to many corporate environments.
Open Space
The office design is entirely open plan, with no individual offices
or desks. Quiet zones have been created across all floors. Some
take the form of free-standing joinery meeting pods; others are
small rooms; allowing for a quiet, more private work environment
or also conducive to one on one meetings.
Each floor has a central, dedicated pause area and is based
on the principle of the kitchen being the ‘centre of the home’.
Centrally located directly behind the ablution core and with access
Bridge Park