Over the last couple of years, with many contemplating the future of work, there have been a plethora of unlikely office spaces—that is, unconventional locations that were turned around to accommodate employer and employee needs. Recently, one more unlikely office space was developed by British architecture studio Foster + Partners. This time, the workplace is located in a disused gas plant in Madrid. The studio erected a beautiful and demountable structure at the center of the floor plan and complimented the interior with trees to bring about a tranquil atmosphere. The name of this project Is Ombú and Foster + Partners was commissioned by the Spanish energy company Acciona. In the process of this project, the firm also saved the beautiful 20th-century structure that once housed the gas plant.
The main focus for Foster + Partners when designing this unlikely office space was to create “biophilic spaces.” In enhancing the aesthetic and functional connectivity of the building to nature, the firm hopes to maximize the wellbeing of employees.
Image Credit: Nigel Young
What's Driving This Trend
- Biophilic Office Spaces
- Designing office spaces that connect employees with nature to improve their well-being.
- Unconventional Office Locations
- Repurposing unconventional spaces to accommodate employer and employee needs.
- Demountable Structures
- Constructing demountable structures that can be easily moved and adapted for various purposes.
Who This Affects Most
- Architecture and Design
- Opportunities for architects and designers to create innovative office spaces that prioritize employee well-being and flexibility.
- Real Estate and Property Management
- Potential for repurposing underutilized or disused properties to create unconventional office spaces.
- Energy and Utilities
- Collaborating with architecture and design firms to repurpose disused infrastructure into vibrant and functional spaces.
