Firm： stu/D/O Architects

Type： Commercial › Office

STATUS： Built

YEAR： 2017

SIZE： 25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

BUDGET： $5M - 10M

In creating a 7-storey office building, we envision a new workplace experience with the concept of a ‘rice terrace’ that becomes an architectural embodiment of the company’s philosophy and business operation.

Overcoming the challenges of site restrictions, limitations, and efficiency, we were able to achieve the idea of the rice terrace by slightly offsetting each floor to the other. This creates a series of overlapping cantilevers that becomes a flexible common area for all. The created overhanging eaves provide ample of shading for various gathering, relaxing, working outdoors providing a natural atmosphere inciting connectedness over compartmentalization; dissolving the boundaries between the interior and the exterior.

Beyond functionality, environmental design strategies were implemented in accord with the tropical climate. This includes the aluminum vertical fins of the facade that has become a mediator between the interior and exterior. The dimensions of each fins were calibrated with the sun angle to resolve the over-exposure and heat of the sun in all directions. They also help to significantly reduce the reliance on air-conditioners by filtering over-exposed light and excess heats from the sun. The landscape thermal mass of the ‘rice terrace’ on each floor also helps to soften the cooling load of the building acting as an insulation from the direct heat of the sun. This results in the creation of a microclimate for the building which helps to neutralize the imbalanced climate conditions.

We envision a working environment that is distinct from a typical office building, not only by seeking to create a new working experience that can become a catalyst to increase the quality of life for each office member, but also to extends beyond the site to become a green space for the surrounding context as well.