Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa May/June 2015 | Page 80

design empowers Microsoft’s people through the ability to
express, connect, and develop insight.
Graphic inspiration came from contemporary pattern design
from the rich and varied tactile tapestry of our continent. The
vibrancy and unmistakable design impetus of Africa is distilled
into a sophisticated colour palette that draws from the vibrant
aesthetic of our environment.
Flooring
The extensive range of Shaw carpets enabled GLH to easily fulfil this
design approach when it came to flooring solutions. They chose
different colours and patterns within the same aesthetic family

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to reflect the contrasts of the Microsoft way of accommodating
different ways to work within a connected environment: work and
play; individuals and teams; privacy and collaboration. Shaw’s
selection of exciting, modern, and bold colours tied perfectly
with the global African theme, and the quarter turn application
emphasises certain functional areas and promotes dynamic eye
movement in the open plan areas. The field tile chosen balances
hard-wearing functionality in a darker colour with a linear design,
with highlights of the feature colours used in the colour blocked
highlight areas. The bold pops of colour respond to the graphic
pattern language of the wider design approach, and activate the
collaborative spaces for immediate engagement and intensive

Microsoft