Comprising two building wings interconnected by link bridges suspended over a central landscaped courtyard, the 4-storey development integrates open-plan offices with collaborative ‘break-out’ spaces.
Providing ample opportunities for relaxation, recreation and socialisation, the proposed building form allows users to ‘momentarily detach’ from work and engage in brief activities of ‘play’ for a quick recharge. Staggered across floors, these collaborative link bridges define each floor uniquely, implying varied patterns of circulation to add interest and non-conformity to daily routines.
The two building wings each comprises column-free floor plates that maximise flexibility in office layouts, well serving the closely-knit operations of the development, where staff from nine different departments specialising in various fields of mental healthcare are working alongside one another.
Criss-crossing the central courtyard space, the link bridges are an interesting display of architectonic forms, presenting a vibrant outlook for the administration building. Such a breakdown of the building massing also facilitates a sustainable mode of passive climatic control, enabling natural ventilation to channel through the sheltered courtyard. A comfortable micro-climate is set up within this courtyard space, encouraging user participation.
A landscape deck construction – over which the sunken carpark is tucked – is utilised to capitalise on the existing drop in land profile, minimising need for basement excavation, leading to significant savings in both construction time and cost. A larger portion of the construction budget can then be allocated to areas that have a more direct, positive impact on user experience.
Natural daylight readily permeates the building depth, decreasing reliance on mechanical means of lighting and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability. The availability of daylight throughout the building interior boosts staff morale by bringing the outdoors in closer reach to every user.
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