Library turned talent agency gives a first-class design performance
Photo credit: Eric Laignel
Project: United Talent Agency Nashville
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Award: Workspace Interiors – Corporate offices (more than 10,000 sqm)
Design practice: HASTINGS
Client: United Talent Agency
“Bright and light workspace design that is welcoming but still professional,” Azlan Nazam, Judge.
United Talent Agency (UTA) relocated their Nashville office to a historic mid-century building that was formerly home to the Nashville Public Library. As one of the world’s leading talent agencies, with eight offices across the USA and one in London, the new Nashville office is a sophisticated and contemporary space reflecting the global talent the company represents.
The repurposing of the building preserves and integrates elements of the original library, offering a classy backdrop to the company’s 22 private offices, 36 workstations, meeting rooms, wellness room, rooftop deck and mezzanine café. A central lounge provides pre-function space for the first-floor meeting rooms and features wood flooring with bespoke rugs. The mezzanine level with is 19-foot-high ceilings offers employees a space to gather for lunches, celebrations, and awards show watch parties.
Design highlights:
In the reception area guests are greeted with a custom-made, black-stained oak reception desk inspired by the movement of stacked vinyl records sliding across the floor. White vertical glass panels provide an elegant backdrop to the dark, sculptural desk.
A large oak staircase acts as the main entry point up to the mezzanine level and is positioned centrally to to encourage employees to take the stairs whenever possible.
Agent offices form the backbone of the business. They are oversized with comfortable and well-positioned guest seating, Teknion sit-stand desks clad in an oak veneer and floating shelves to display personal and professional mementos.
Credits
Lead designers: David M. Powell FAIA, LEED AP, David A. Bailey AIA, LEED AP, William W. Hastings
General Contractor: Solomon Builders
Project Management: JLL
Furniture: Ai Corporate Interiors
Renewable energy fuels new office design
Image credit: Owen Raggett Photography
Project: ACEN
Location: Manila, Philippines
Award: Corporate Offices (less than 10,000 sq m), Gold, 2022
Design practice: Aedas Interiors
Client: AC Energy
“Strong sight lines, good use of materials, strong architectural details and good continuity of design,” Elaine Cecconi, Judge.
The designers of the new offices for AC Energy – a renewable energy company - drew inspiration from wind and solar energy and geothermal electricity production for their interiors. The brief was to embody the company’s raison d’etre in the physical design of their new office and the designers evoked the energy of electricity flow in the design of the flooring, walls, and lighting in the public areas. Meanwhile workstations and lighting are influenced by the shape of wind turbines.
Spread across three floors, a large open staircase connects the levels and is flanked by social, meeting and training spaces with office areas located on the opposite side to create a secure working environment. The reception area leads you past a series of client meeting spaces and into the "melting pot", a multifunctional space that is used for everything from staff lunches to events and client meetings.
Design highlights:
The AC Energy offices feature workspace areas which can be closed and secured, allowoing them to become general meeting rooms. The board room also has a custom designed table that can close up for face to face meetings, negotiations and lunches while also opening up to allow all participants a better line of sight to the electronic content.
Credits:
Lead designers: Steven Shaw, Eric Magno, Simin Lim, Kher Ting
Local Architect - DVD Architecture
Audio Visual - Sennen Design
Spicy design for Thai food HQ
Photo credit: Ketsiree Wongwan, Courtesy of IF (Integrated Field Co.,Ltd.)
Project: Exotic Food (XO)
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Award: Corporate offices (less than 10,000 sqm)
Design practice: IF (Integrated Field Co.,Ltd.)
Client: Exotic Food
“A dynamic please to socialize with co-workers when you come in from the remote work environment,” Joshua Zinder, Judge.
The expanded and revamped headquarters for Thai food exporter XO make coming in to the office an exciting and enticing option. The striking workspace features a bold red and black colour palette which is already a strong part of the company’s brand identity amongst customers and staff alike. In playful tribute to the business, a giant- sized hot sauce bottle spills out red liquid which functions as a fun seating area. Bright signage, oversized food labels and rainbow hued lighting all make for a fun and lively, multi-functional space.
The main office space is situated centrally alongside a canteen, bar and amphitheatre, which can accommodate a variety of work-related and recreational activities.
Design highlights: This adaptable office features meeting rooms which can be partitioned or connected into one large conference room. The space outside of the meeting rooms houses a series of small pocket spaces that allow the company to accommodate different groups of visitors at once, while individual phone booths can be used for online meetings. Workspaces are surrounded by windows to allow natural light and offer views of the city and surrounding green space.
Credits:
Lead designer: Kanin Manthanachart
Interior architect: IF (Integrated Field Co.,Ltd.)
Environmental graphic: Info
Lighting designer: FOS Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Electrical engineer: SITE 83 Co., Ltd.
Main contractor: Choice Interior
Signage contractor: D.R. Advertising Company Ltd.