Gensler’s Basecamp explores innovative ways of using space


As the winner of the ‘Public Space Schemes’ category at this year’s FX Awards, Basecamp by Gensler continues to impress with their multi-purpose use of their temporary office space.


At the end of last month, Gensler were awarded the Public Space Schemes FX Award for their ground-breaking, innovative space ‘Basecamp’; formed from three spaces split across two building, Basecamp works as Gensler's temporary offices. With the adaptability that Basecamp possesses, however, it seems as though it could work as a new space every day - and not just as a workplace. The FX Award judges said it was an innovative take on the zeitgeist revolving around the co-working environment."

“The concept of bringing together Gensler employees, makers, creatives, and the general public,” they continued, “not only provides the opportunity for the public to gather but also opportunities to enrich the local economy where it sits, and all this delivered on a tight budget”. With such high praise, it is clear that Gensler have delivered extraordinary work with their temporary office space.

The latest example of Gensler being a natural, open hub for co-working and collaboration has been revealed through their ‘Off Base’ event on the Future of Retail, where retail trends and insights of 2017 were explored. The Gensler London retail studio and Gensler Insight Group were also able to use the event to share their 2018 trends and insights, proving that Basecamp presents an opportunity for Gensler to invite people outside of the company into the space.

In response to winning the FX Award, Basecamp design lead Ross Burgoyne said, “for Basecamp to be recognised with this award is a great achievement, and a testament to the team effort that went into creating it. [Considering that Basecamp was] designed and built in a short space of time and with a limited budget, it shows that intelligent, creative design does not have to cost the earth.”

A primary consideration for Basecamp, which works towards the aim of providing a space for seminars, exhibitions and product showcases, was to avoid building any barriers. Working with the two buildings’ existing architecture, the design team identified the space where they could be most creative and used standard sheet materials (rope, plywood, etc) to divide areas without creating physical barriers. The result is that the space can be reconfigured; the area is flexible and can suit the immediate needs of the employees.

“We approached the design of our temporary space with a start-up mentality rather than that of a global firm,” Burgoyne continues, “we used simple, honest materials to create a functional environment that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Basecamp is an actively developing concept that we will experiment with, rather than a final design. In fact, how it looks now should be very different from how it will look a few months down the line.”








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