Cellular
Operations wanted foremost to create an iconic building to put the small
company on the map. Another major goal, however, was recruiting and retaining
valuable young staff in a low-unemployment area, so key factors for the
facility's design were to provide optimum working conditions with ideal
temperature and light, increase the social interaction of staff between
departments, allow for rapid future expansion, and incorporate green design
principles. The challenge, in the client's words was to "inject interest
and humorsurprise and delightinto the workplace."
The
architect, Richard Hywel Evans Architecture and Design, and the client
investigated design proposals and jointly developed a program that would
support a unique, new working model. The resulting facility boasts a double-curved,
three-story organic glass wall on the north and fiber-optic insulated
glazing with picture windows on the south. "Light is one of the defining
themes of this space," the jury commented. "Here you're almost
working outside."
Among its many "surprise and delight" items is a relaxation/break-out
space for 450 operators, where refreshments are dispensed by specially
designed roving electronic trolleys. The jury seemed captivated by the
spirit. "This was a building designed to be worked in, not just to
be looked at," they said. "We had a sense that care and thought
went into the design from the outset."
The
project was completed and occupied in 57 weeks. As a result of the new
building:
Staff turnover decreased by 50 percent (from above the 5 percent
national average to 2.7 percent)
The building was listed in national media as "the happiest
workplace in the country" and included in the "50 Best Buildings
in the Country" feature in a national daily newspaper
The building image is used by the government to promote progressive
working environments.
Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects.
All rights reserved.
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