Architect and Builder November/December 2018 | Page 39

multi-disciplinary project team has ensured a high
quality and aesthetically pleasing development.
Internal Space Planning
The new corporate tenants, Standard Bank of
South Africa, are witness to how the office environ-
ment or ecosystem has evolved into something
which is fundamentally different to the office we
have come to ‘know’ and accept as the ‘norm’ -
standardised for efficiency and typically with a
conservative approach to ensure “one size fits
all,” the traditional office limits the potential for
inspiration, expression and social connection with
colleagues and clients alike.
Standard Bank’s vision for the interior office
space would achieve the exact opposite;
thoughtfully curated destinations which would
blend in with the overall design, enhance
performance and allow staff the freedom to
choose where and how they would like to work -
formal and informal, in isolation (focus work) or
collaboration with others. Power and connectivity
throughout allow staff to work virtually anywhere
throughout the building.
Constantly evolving and re-inventing the
way they work with the objective of enhancing
performance and output, Standard Bank needed an
interior space which would perform the same and
which could be as adaptable as their organisation.
Real-estate optimisation needless to say is always
of paramount importance, so on days where the
office is empty, the nomadic spaces rather than
becoming redundant space become a “work-
café” for the other staff in the office. A variety of
communal and ancillary spaces were purposely
designed to further enhance collaboration, but
more importantly to promote a change of posture
which contributes positively to staff well-being
and whilst encouraging interaction amongst staff.
Baker Street
Lastly, the planning was done in such a way
as to promote views to the outside for all staff. A
view of the outside, as well as abundant natural
light are both significant contributors to staff well-
being and which indirectly is a contributor to staff
performance and output.
Conclusion
The strategic placement of glazing creates a
modern, contemporary feel at 33 Baker Street.
The use of varying shades of black and carefully
selected textures have worked well with the glazing
to produce a building that provides optimised light
for its occupants while enhancing and positively
contributing to the local environment. The retail
passage, public atria and new office environment
is something special with great light quality and
sense of space which is being utilised and enjoyed
by staff and visitors. The central atriums create a
very successful and pleasant working environment
within the offices areas.
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