6 SYKES ON SIX...
Spatial stuff, interaction
and all that
Architect Christopher Sykes gets seriously interested in change,
particularly how new interior design concepts seriously change
relationships and performance of both adults and children
Interaction in the new EC Harris HQ, designed
by Swanke Hayden Connell
SPATIAL INTERACTION IS NOW THE THING. I GUESS WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT CELLULAR DESIGN - SMALL OFFICES,
UNSEEN DIRECTORS, CLASSROOMS, TEACHER'S STUDY ETC - HAS GONE OR GOING FROM BOTH THE WORK PLACE
AND THE LEARNING PLACE. THE OTHER DAY, I WENT TO MANCHESTER TO MEET AEDAS – ONE OF THE WORLD’S
LARGE ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICES (40 OFFICES WORLDWIDE). THIS WAS ALL ABOUT THEIR REMARKABLE NEW
CONCEPTS FOR NEW SCHOOLS. IT CHANGED MY THINKING. I DID MORE RESEARCH AND WAS EXCITED AND
SURPRISED AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COAL-FACE.
A
dults are doing it…. The challenge was how to achieve a
The Association of Interior Specialist contemporary contrast to the 19th century
(AIS) is the organisation with a wide architecture without detracting from its unique
membership heavily involved in commercial character. In Landside areas, this is achieved
and other fit-outs. It appears that you could with small but vibrant elements of colour and
summarise workplace design trends as being programmable light walls. In the general
greener, healthier and social – at the same office space are simple motifs of swirling
time as being relocatable, reuseable, white lines in vinyl film on red or green walls
recyclable. A survey by Gensler shows that or used as glazing manifestation. Airside
the best performing companies are the ones there are clean, neutral colours with a
who have optimised their office space to random-laid grey pinstripe pattern carpet to
create options for focused work, collaboration, provide visual interest (see image). Desking
leaning and socialising. One of the most and task-seating provide effective solutions
interesting is the HQ fit-out for International for workstations with feature pieces of
consultants EC Harris, one of the first furniture used in high profile areas.
companies to move to the Regent Quarter,
part of the massive regeneration around Children are doing it…..
London’s King’s Cross Station. The character For a long time, I have been harping on and
of the refurbished Victorian buildings is an asking why you can’t produce a few templates
added attraction and reminder of their of ideal schools that work and repeat to greater
involvement in the construction industry. The or lesser adaption across the country – ie why
project won a major award from the British invent the wheel every time? Schooling isn’t
Institute of Facilities Management. about massaging the architects’ ego to look
good in the architectural magazines; it’s about
Designed by Swanke Hayden Connell and teaching and learning and a good teacher can
fitted-out by AIS member Overbury, the teach in a portacabin. Yes, I am chided by the
concept is based on the ‘Landside/Airside’ experts with much exasperation, that may be
approach of airports. Focal hubs and social okay with many pupils, middle and classless
points were identified as fundamental to and others who actually want to learn, but it
increase social interaction between staff and sure ain’t going to work in deprived areas like
clients together with the greatest flexibility of Knowsley with so many social problems and
space. Dedicated client meeting rooms, the many difficult kids/families.
café and touchdown working areas all
encourage clients, and staff, to use the Here, Knowsley Council needed something very
building openly, flexibly and at their radical. They started with closure of 12 schools,
convenience. This is interaction at its the reappointment of only two of the original 12
ultimate – it has fundamentally affected how headteachers and enormous commitment and
The multi-tasking hub, flooded with Kalwall
the staff work and interact with each other thinking outside the box by rather clever people,
diffused daylighting, at Christ the King School
and with their clients. especially Aedas architects. designed by Aedas.
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