Joanne Cocks talks to architect Ray DeMicoli about the importance of achieving architectural and design zen at the office. His ultimate objective: to create a work space to have fun!
Has it ever dawned on you that we tend to spend two-thirds of our adult life while awake at the office? Thus, its design and comfort must be equal, if not better, than our homes, due to the amount of time we spend there.
It is most important to clearly define the interaction and flow of production
Ray DeMicoli, senior architect and founder of DeMicoli & Associates architectural company, feels that the place of work needs to be fun. “It needs to stimulate; it needs to inspire and facilitate performance, especially when it comes to a team. This is something that is becoming more and more apparent in today’s modern workplace, and is one of the biggest aspects of designing a good office,” he says.
However, this doesn’t necessarily translate into splashing out significant amounts of money on expensive materials – it is rather the case of creating and capturing that particular spirit.
Ray, who has over the past years become a leading force in planning and designing offices, says that more and more clients are opting for an open-plan layout, where closed rooms are kept for meetings and senior management.
“I think open-plan offices are excellent for a number of reasons: they are flexible and you get a better use of space and feasibility; they are cheaper to cool down; and if designed well, they can create this good performance and enjoyable work ethic. The unfortunate downside with an open plan is normally acoustics, but this is where good design comes in,” he adds.
When planning an office space, it is most important to clearly define the interaction and flow of production. If this is studied well, then the programme and function of the needed zone or space will be better designed. Another important point is security, and a clear line between client areas and back-of-house areas.
Ray lists four major points that should always be taken into consideration:
• Good lighting is imperative – it makes such a big difference.
• It’s an absolute must to care for posture, so invest in excellent seating.
• Get the acoustics right; this is a general rule, but it applies doubly for commercial and office spaces – use soaking materials like carpets, soft boards and suspended ceilings.
• Create internal meeting points away from stations. In a sense, encourage spaces of interaction since it’s important to have short breaks.
And which are the most popular areas to house an office in? Is this set by market trends? Popular areas, the architect points out, are simply a matter of the “flocking and hub effect with property”. But that depends on the function of the business and service, so anywhere from Mrieħel and Qormi to St Julian’s and Valletta would be in high demand.
Some areas, he says, reflect a big social aspect and the office designer and planner need to create a stage that would help build teams that interact and work in harmony.
“For example, we were based in Portomaso and the atmosphere was fantastic there. However, late last year, we moved to Qormi and it’s quite a different change of pace. In Qormi, we’re a little more ‘secluded’ and that has inspired a better sense of family.
“We also set up a big kitchen, which has encouraged staff to cook; every Friday, a handful of them cook for the rest of the office, we even invite clients and it is always entertaining,” Ray says.
There is never one model that can be followed when it comes to creating an office space.
“It largely depends on the company’s service and the function of the required space. However, the more we work on office design, the more we realise that the imperative element is to create a place where we all go to have fun,” he adds, looking ahead to the next challenge.