VIVA Architecture: Space well done

As working from home has become the new norm in many companies, the office landscape has significantly changed in recent years. There is a growing need for specialized work and meeting spaces, with less demand for traditional workstations. Consequently, the office of Spacewell, located in Wilrijk, Antwerp, was not being used efficiently. Only 30% of the workstations were occupied at the same time, meeting rooms stood empty or were used as individual workspaces. This inefficient use of space resulted in unnecessary costs and a loss of connection and team spirit among employees. To address this, VIVA partnered with the client to find a suitable, budget-friendly solution within the existing office layout. The goal is to bring employees back to the office by creating a cozy, homelike workspace where people can collaborate.

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The office is divided into two zones, each with a distinct atmosphere and choice of materials.
The first zone, where people enter, is designed according to the blue Spacewell branding. Upon entering the reception area, visitors are greeted by various shades of blue, a check-in screen, and a waiting area. This zone also features a breakout area with a high dining table. The kitchen unit serves as a natural barrier between the employee breakout area and the visitor reception area.

The second zone has a more neutral palette with natural colors and materials and white tones in the floors and walls. This area includes workstations, enclosed offices, meeting rooms, and a lounge. Complementing the branding, the flooring and curtains in the meeting rooms are light blue. These meeting rooms are concentrated in the center of the space to allow for flexible layouts, while workstations are placed near windows to maximize natural light.

VIVA had to design efficiently in terms of both time and budget. A strict deadline for the office relocation required the design and execution to be completed within a limited timeframe. To achieve this, VIVA chose to incorporate circular (re)use of certain elements, work with local products for flooring, and use wooden profiles for the glass partitions to reduce delivery times and costs. Loose furniture and lighting were repurposed from the existing office. Glass from the existing meeting room partitions was also reused and adapted for the new glass partition walls. Workstations are organized around two large tables, with a lounge area placed between them as a natural buffer. Additionally, focus areas are provided for employees who need a quiet space to concentrate.

Location : Antwerp

Area : 385 m²

Date : 2023 - 2024

Fact : Realized in 4 months

Client : Spacewell

Photography : Marc Scheepers