A total makeover of the Silom office by JARKEN was done by separating the office into two main areas – “welcoming space” and “working space”. The client specifically asked JARKEN to maintain strong existing 100-year old corporate history yet giving edgy modern look. The design is inspired by the simple organic form creating sophisticated lay out planning, reflecting the oval shape of seeds such as corn shaped when endeavor and nature meets, they must be presented and echoed into the design conveyance.
“Welcoming space” the complex form of design came from the client’s corporate identity “Lotus”. Lotus is a simple with subtle strength flower within its simplicity that conveys the meaning of “eternity”. JARKEN designed based on the use of scripting, simulation and modeling that enabled them to explore, imitate and generate new, architectural shapes.
Warm corridor with rich palette of materials, sculptural laminate fiber-reinforced laminate wall and book-matched ONYX glazing enclose abstracted spaces. The serpentines wall-decoration are designed to flow into one another as if formed by the receding tide.
The conference table is surrounded by a recessed wall in the lower corner illustrated a sense of solidarity. The table is specially designed to touch the charms of corporate identity with an overlay of three layers reflects the layer of lotus petals multilayer complexes including layer outermost material, a laminate white as the table meeting. Active middle layer middle laminated in a colour of Ivory, final layer is represented by a natural stone. “Lotus” again represents in lighting design made flexible to adjust the lighting in function adjustable to gradually shrine from the center of the table and onto the ceiling slab just like flourishing flower.
In the waiting area, metaphor elements are embraced in the design. JARKEN has created a private and welcoming feel resonating to visitors. The craft wall can be slide open turning the space into mirror wall extending space to unlimited possibility in moods. Warm colours and materials used help replenish the sense of calmness.
“The challenge to renovate “working space” is to revitalise an old dull space to stylish, vibrant, energetic environment for staff of young generation in the making. This includes an exotic relax room and creative space to create an chilling atmosphere where the design concept yield four elements including soil, water, air and fire, which are the fundamentals of agriculture,” said Sasivimol Sinthawanarong, Design Principal JARKEN group of companies.
Front entrance illustrates a textured transparent and luminous features providing privacy from the outside. Patterned stone mosaic ceramic disc from outside the perception like an inward-liked a grain, signifying to unity of all employees. This metaphor is represented within this hidden mosaic wall cabinets with aluminum ceiling tiles designed to convey core twisting movement. The movement of water navigates to the hidden space inside as well as the curved glass wall visually inclined to shelter employees from the outside.
The staff relax room was originally with no natural light. JARKEN used stone wall texture to create a different atmosphere from the bustling outside working space, totally calm and soothing. The employee can feel those with all cozy rattan furniture.
The end result of the design was a fresh and modern makeover.