Johnson Controls Headquarters Asia Pacific — Shanghai
The building’s two long wings are connected by a central hub with an open atrium and gathering space.
With so many people having choices in where they do their work — ranging from third places, airport lounges, hotel lobbies, or simply at home — we have higher expectations for what the work experience should feel like. Now we ask: What’s the draw to the workplace? What is the workplace’s new value proposition? And how should the job of the work environment evolve?
Experiences are key to defining human interactions. Just as consumers choose the experience of shopping as much as they choose the products they buy, progressive companies see the workforce as their “customers” and look to turn current and future employees into the best thing possible: true believers.
This trend is having a significant impact on corporate headquarters, which bear the responsibility of setting the tone for a culture that begins at home but may extend time zones away. In earlier times, the headquarters’ job description was about communicating presence: the building, sign, and logo. In that paradigm, the workplace was considered a cost — a container to fill with people, furniture, and tools. The new job description is different. It turns the workplace into a valuable asset — one that is designed to support people in myriad ways, not simply house them.
A great headquarters is sustained by great work experiences. Now there’s a stronger sense of culture, which is reinforced by tangible links to the organization’s mission and values. When it comes to work, people are letting us know that purpose and meaning are great motivators. Increasingly, they are looking for jobs that satisfy that desire in addition to providing an income.
The goal is to encourage employees to do more than simply show up for work. With a well-aligned branded work experience, they’re more likely to show up with enthusiasm. And when the experience clicks, they’ll feel they belong and will understand how to contribute. That’s when they’ll start to believe.
The design for Johnson Controls Headquarters Asia Pacific relocates four distinct business units into flexible work neighborhoods, surrounding a five-story atrium that encourages collaboration and chance encounters. The space reflects the organization’s culture of community and wellness, and includes a gym, healthcare clinic, coffee shop, and canteen. The 377,000-square-foot headquarters sits on a long narrow site, which challenged the design team to create a sense of community for company employees while optimizing floor-plate efficiency. The solution was to create two long rectangular buildings that maximize daylighting, and connect them with a central hub that serves as a gathering space. Work zones surround the hub’s five-story atrium. They are linked by interior staircases that encourage interaction among different departments. To allow community access to an adjacent public park, the design team lifted the building’s north wing, creating a greenway for employees and neighbors.
Microsoft Ireland — Dublin
Made up of over 125,000 LED lights, the digital “lake” is a place for reflection and respite, and a place where the community can gather.