Corona changed the world – as well as the working world
Not long ago the main themes in office buildings or designing working spaces were desktop sharing and minimizing m² for each person but the corona pandemic made us alert that this might not be the right way for our future.
The architecture, the quality of space as well as the design of the working space will reach a new significance.
It is not only about designing the workstation on it´s own, it’s more about the emotional quality, which is not only linked to the quality of space, but also daylight and most important the individual space, which every employee has at his or her own disposal.
The individual space not only creates quality, it also allows structural teamwork - teams can be built and there is enough space to realize projects in close contact with the other employees.
The informal opportunity to exchange ideas should take place straight at the work desk. Between the first and the second lockdown in Austria in 2020 we designed and also realized a new and innovative work environment for well-known attorneys in Graz, Styria.
The building is an old school located in the west of Graz, designed in the late 60ies by Domenig + Huth, two famous architects from Graz.
It is one of the first examples of concrete Brutalism in Graz and meanwhile under protection as an historical monument.
The core of the new law office is the old assembly hall.
The big and open space is structured with the help of 9 ceiling-high trees. These 5m tall trees are growing under the 9 existing light domes towards the sky.
The plants are not only a structural element but more important an emotional connecting factor, which we all know from the woods and the nature.
The working areas are arranged between these trees in their big pots. The canopy of leaves is permanently changing with the position of the sun respectively through the different light conditions.
The two-floor high assembly hall changed into a office space is the central point, which is surrounded by a generous entrée, a conference room, as well as offices, in which you can withdraw.
A seminar room, a lounge, a common room and a generous terrace, where the lawyers can have a view in to the green environment and the castle garden close-by, are situated on the ground floor.
Team:
Architect: Ernst Giselbrecht + Partner Architektur zt GmbH
Other participants: Workshop Prödl GmbH, Johann Fasching Installations GmbH; Elektro Ofner GmbH; Ammon KG; Florawall GmbH
Photography: Sara Sera, Martin Schönbauer, Susanne Bayer
Material Used:
1. Interior furniture:
Fantoni, Quaranta
BLA Station, Opppo
Serralunga, Big-Bo
Desalto, Sand
2. Interior lighting: Zumtobel, Linetik
