Staff wellness is a key aspect of working at Discovery and this was fundamental to the spaces developed . There is not only a gym , but multiple events pertaining to lifestyle aspects . As the brief developed , the designers needed to provide amenities that you would not normally find within a corporate building : there are 11 coffee shops and 4 major coffee brands as well as two restaurants . There are a wide variety of shops , making the day to day life of an employee easier by providing services on site . The number of amenities and benefits integrated within the building matrix transforms it into a space that resembles a city .
Materials In terms of materiality , the design team wanted the building to be very vibrant and quite tactile ; fresh and lively . This tied into how they perceived and understood Discovery ’ s corporate identity , and that design intent is followed through by means of the materiality . In the main concourse , the floor tile has movement in its finish which adds to the vibrancy . Using different types and formats of the same material finish created something very nuanced but not overpowering . The floors and ceilings are quite a neutral space , populated by colours from Discovery ’ s corporate identity .
When you look up at the atriums , it is completely different than when looking downwards . The upwards views are really exposed to the architectural language of the building – the curvilinear aesthetic brought through in the ceiling edges , creates contrast between black and white so that unique shapes and forms really stand out .
Looking downwards the view is colourful with each office floor colour coded , using Discovery ’ s corporate identity as inspiration . Pops of colour add vibrancy and assist in the practical aspect of being easily identifiable from a wayfinding perspective . Within each floor , fabrics , flooring , glazing and vinyls are colour coded to match . The colour coding within each floor ensures a vibrancy that is not overpowering .
Conclusion The project team , client , and developers have all came together to create a building and working environment that not only epitomises Discovery , but is very much a 21st century workspace . The care and attention to staff welfare and comfort makes working at 1 Discovery Place a world class experience .
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