ORACLE HEAD OFFICE Oracle ’ s business is information - how to manage it , use it , share it , protect it . For nearly three decades , Oracle , the worlds largest enterprise software company , has provided software and services that enable organisations to get the most accurate and up-to-date information from their business systems . Today , Oracle has over 275,000 customers including 98 of the Fortune 100 in more than 145 countries .
Any office park carries with it the risk of monotony and repetition of architectural language . This building , for computer systems company , Oracle , is the fifth highly visible pavilion-like building completed on the N1 highway in Woodmead by Paragon Architects for Zenprop Property Group , the developers . Countering the office park history of repetitive design , Oracle head office delivers a refreshingly different building in a series of commissions that are similar in terms of brief and size . Oracle occupies a building that is highly flexible , easy to use and understand .
Design The Oracle building pursues simplicity and design efficiency . It has been created to maximise benefits from the composition of clear elements . The spatial concept is based on an East-West axis , dividing the building into two office plates linked by a large continuous atrium . To anchor its visual presence from the highway , three massive cubes seem to pierce the building from south to north ; the concrete portals take your eyes off the speedometer .
The three-level composition is sculpted out of concrete , with deeply recessed glass panels . This effect is as strong aesthetically as it is functional in terms of heat reductions . The shadows play with the building as the day passes by . On the east and west façades , the apparent random setting of precast window surrounds in the dark coloured and rough bag washed brickwork , gives the building a strong personality .
The intelligent cost-effective architecture and use of rational materials and constructional techniques for this chunky building , give the architect a little more budget than usual for smaller details . The fierce approach of the outside is contrasted by a refined environment inside . With a skeletal staircase wrapping around the massive lift block as a main focal point , the light washed atrium is finished in cool glistening shades of white . Paragon Interiors ’ design warms the ambiance with luxurious mosaics and colourful fabrics for furniture . In the bathrooms , the single piece vanity consoles are a small gesture towards the big concrete boxes of the building ’ s façade .
Conclusion Paragon Architects have delivered a building that simply ‘ does the right thing ’. It seems self-evident as a built solution . In the client ’ s portfolio , it is the most efficient asset in terms of both planning and resource usage . Oracle can enjoy logical and highly flexible open plan offices in a building that leaves a strong impression from outside and provides a calm flowing experience on the inside , just like their products are expected to be .
84 Motorola & Oracle