FX AWARDS 2016: THE WINNERS
Workspace environment
Winner: Airbnb Dublin
by Airbnb
Image: Donal Murphy Photography
Sponsored by Bisley
Airbnb’s Dublin office was created by its in-house Environments Team in collaboration with local architecture studio Heneghan Peng.
The new office will house more than 400 staff, covering a range of teams from customer service to legal. It is designed to cultivate a sense of community, collaboration and interaction. Small individual desks are replaced by large central communal tables that facilitate sharing in a way that individual desks could not. The vast majority of the lighting and furniture in the office was made by local Dublin design firms.
A dramatic cascading central staircase forms the main point of focus of the office. Coined the ‘Agora’, it connects the first floor to the basement, unifying the various floors. The staircase serves multiple purposes, from providing a large conference space to creating a relaxing environment for individual working.
The judges said
‘A wonderfully designed working environment using scale and volumes to create a sense of community while supporting individual and smaller groups. A great use of materials to show a quality and concept of Airbnb’s brand. Wonderfully coherent materiality unites all of the working spaces and yet gives a sense of individuality to multiple niches throughout the workplace that provide special places to inhabit’
Finalists & judges' comments
Spring Place by BluArch
‘Strong, calm, purposeful and bold working environment with a coherent overall palate’
U+I Headquarters by Coffey Architects
‘A workspace that is different and inspiring’ ‘It is a great blend of architecture and interior workplace design’
RUIKE Footwear Corporate Headquarters by E-Tai Space Design Office
‘Powerful, atmospheric and calm space in which to work and think’
Global Mining and Resources co by Hassell
‘Very beautiful design. Fantastic use of materials and space’
NeueHouse Hollywood by Hollywood Rockwell Group
‘The design felt effortless. Building and design seemed to enhance each other’
Gawker Media HQ by Olson Kundig
‘Interesting volumes. Play of dark and light. Strong simple concept’
Berghaus Headquarters by Rock Townsend Architects
‘A great transformation of an unloved building into a delightful workplace’
Paris Meets Bladerunner by Studio O+A
‘Well-controlled spatial sequences providing a broad spectrum of work environments with a playful edge
Farfetch HQ & Global Office by Studiofibre
‘A beautifully crafted workplace that captures the clients “lead don’t follow” ethos’
Paramount by The Office Space by Woods Bagot
‘Utterly luxurious, perfect fit of the use and building’
