ABB, as one of the most Avant grant energy saving technological companies in the world, has extended its footprint in china in the past several decades. This is a new office interior project Shanghai which is the most prosperous areas in China. Upon the rapid expansion of ABB business in China, the traditional ABB workplace model is already cannot cater for the needs for the expanded headcounts and the spatial requirement, therefore, a new type of new office workplace model and design is expected. The project would like to adopt this new workplace model into the office and manifest a new corporate image to ABB for the next decades. In the past, each office staff usually has a fixed working station in normal office environment. However, this kind of workplace model is already cannot cater for the industry development. Hence a free seating working system, with limited fixed seats for admin, HR and finance staff, is supposed for nearly all staff. The spatial efficiency under this arrangement can increase up to 150-200% (that is only half to 75% of the existing office space is needed for workstation area). Under this design layout, some surplus spaces are dedicated to some public area like breakout areas, project rooms and telephone booths which all have unique design character. Besides focusing on the flexibility and cost efficiency, the office design needs to develop a tool for strengthening the brand on a broader base by maintaining a high design profile. The corporate brand should permeate every aspect of the building interiors including reception, canteen, meeting room and internal office to display the energetic and dynamic atmosphere of ABB office, and also highlights its characteristic lively modern image.

The building is in an elliptical shape marking the rectangular workstation difficult to cope with the curvature space. the allocation of the internal departments within the 1.5 floors is not an easy task, the idea by dedicating the staff workstation along the window side to allow maximum daylight penetration is brought forward for ABB to consider. Spatial planning The whole office working area is divided into two zones- mobile and fixed. The mobile workstations, the majority components, are located at the front area while the fixed workstations are at the inner zone of the office. The purpose is for the convenience for the staff and also ensuring privacy for the admin and finance staff. Multiplicities of spatial structures including individual, group, and open-scheme office and multi-purpose areas to work together in a variety of methods are realized and arranged in a flexible configuration. Reception A large image showing ABB’s achievement in the energy saving industry is elected as the backdrop for the reception counter to anchor a visually impact to all visitors. The reception counter is designed in a linear clear console to welcome everyone. The white and black marble project a clear and professional image. By the history wall along the corridors, one is lead towards the conference room and internal office. Breakout area is located at the different corner area where people can meet, chat and encourage having social integration among the staff. Short, spontaneous meetings among colleagues can be held here, which provides a relaxed and inviting environment. There are sofa, stools, meeting tables which provide different seating/working environment for various needs, besides these public areas, phone booth for individual working is also designed. People can have private tele-meeting in the phone booth and have a more silent working area in reading room where mobile phone conversation is prohibited here. Sound absorption fabric panel with different color accent is designed to these phone booths to give identity and freshness to every participant. The color not just deliver a great visual impact but also have a mental influence to staff. The colorful environmental has provide a relaxing and energetic ambience which can let stimulate the working momentum and thus increase the productivity. Coffee/tea area is the central core area where people can meet, chat and encourage having social integration among the staff. Short, spontaneous meetings among colleagues can be held here, which provides a relaxed and inviting environment. There are sofas; designer chairs in coffee/tea area which provide different seating/working environment for various needs, besides these public areas, some private area like project room and phone booth are designed for individual working. People can have private tele-meeting in the phone booth and have a more silent working area in project room where mobile phone conversation is prohibited here.

The productivity of such new concept office raised 50% by adopting such flexible seat arrangement. All people have a more free working pattern. The expense on the rent and fixed office facility will drop accordingly. This increase the competitive edge when compare with other similar business.

Communication is the most important organized aspect for new offices nowadays. Although individual work can be executed anywhere, the exchange of information and know-how remain an essential means of finding solutions to complicated problems and learning new knowledge. The collective intelligence and enthusiasm can be promoted by establishing an environment to promote the need of private space and creating a positive and pleasant atmosphere. Multiplicities of spatial structures include individual, group, and open-scheme office and multi-purpose areas to work together in a variety of methods and in flexible configurations. Colors are employed to project a vivid ambience in the coffee/tea breakout area, in which vibrant tone colors such as lime to enhance the spatial quality and create a high-energy feel. Other than this bright color, the overall office is composed of a neutral tone of monochrome (white wall and grey carpet).

The project is in charged by three core teams including interior, E/M and QS. In the beginning, the design team will work closely with client to provide options of layout, 3D rendering, material sample to settle the design proposal. Once confirmation is granted, the project management team will work with E/M engineers and QS to have construction drawing and quotation for client approval. During construction stage, designer and engineer will closely monitor the project progress to ensure due completion. Regular and ad-hoc meeting will arrange to ensure good communication to solve site problem.

1. The construction fee is 8 million with 4-month construction time 2. The interior fitting out part of the ABB Shanghai Office is designed by DPWT Design Ltd. 3. The design process of the office is as follows: 1) Site inspection and discussion with client: DPWT carry out site inspection to have an understanding of site condition. Communication with the client to understand their needs and prepare the onwards design concept. 2) Layout plans and renderings: According to the result of site survey and the communication with the client, DPWT then prepare the drawings and renderings with internal review. The final confirmation is granted after around 3-4 presentations. 3) Construction drawings and selection of materials: the construction drawing was prepared after the approval of layout plans and renderings by client. 4) Phasing of construction: regular site inspection is conducted in weekly basis 5) Completion of construction and opening: the final outcome receives a very positive feedback from client.

The project inception to completion is in an extremely tight schedule of 4 months. During this period, numerous meeting, presentation and discussion are carried out at the same among designer, engineer, client and other vendor including furniture, carpet, security. The due completion of this project is a strong evidence of a well-organized project and design team.

1. The final outcome of this project receives a very positive feedback from client and the other ABB office in different locations in China adopted this new type of workplace model. 2. The success of this project not only enhances DPWT's status in the client side, but also underpinning a good cooperation foundation between the two parties in the future. 3. The design effect of this project, not only acts as an advertising project to showcase DPWT design ability, but also provides the potential business opportunities for DPWT in joint projects with other companies