Author: Lisa Wight

Olympic house the gold standard of sustainability

Posted on by Lisa Wight

Olympic House, Switzerland, the headquarters of the Olympic Committee, meets the gold standard of sustainability in office building. In this profile we highlight the elements that make it outstanding – elements that we at SKK aim to incorporate in commercial projects for our clients.

Designed by Danish architects 3XN, Olympic House has been built with 95% of the former administrative buildings reused or recycled. In a move that has considerably reduced their carbon footprint, all 500 staff of the Olympics Committee are now located under one roof.

 

Five Olympic Rings

The design of Olympic House embodies five key elements: symbolism, integration, flexibility, collaboration and sustainability. The overall shape is harmonious and graceful and is inspired by the movement of an athlete whilst encapsulating each element within its framework.

 

Situated with the backdrop of Lausanne parklands, the internal configuration is set out to maximise views of the beautiful surroundings. The stunning central staircase visually links all levels and encourages you to walk just a little further to take in the views rather than taking the lift.

 

 

A New Beginning

With only 14 columns across the entire structure, every inch of space has been maximised. The open plan spaces, transparency and shared spaces encourage communication, facilitation and interaction as well as being aesthetically pleasing.

Even the furniture was a source of innovation and inspired engineering. The Olympic Committee pushed the market to its limits to find new ways of working for this iconic building.

 

Smart Stats for Olympic House

  • 80% of construction costs were spent with local companies
  • 95% of construction waste was recycled
  • 35% reduction in energy consumption compared to a new standard office building
  • 60% reduction in municipal water consumption to a new standard office building
  • 95% of former administrative materials were reused or recycled
  • Awarded 3 Sustainable Certifications: SNBS, Minergie, LEED
  • The building has 2500 m2 of vegetated roof

OUR TOP TEN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MOVE

Posted on by Lisa Wight

Moving is a significant upheaval for any organisation.

As the Facilities Manager it’s your responsibility to ensure a smooth transition for all.

At SKK we’ve worked with many FMs and understand the challenges you face.

Here are our top ten tips to help make your move go as smoothly as possible.

  • Insist upon a clear vision of what the business needs now and in the future and provide as much information as possible to the design team
  • Get approval on key issues from senior decision-makers. Budget and key dates need to be agreed in principle as early as possible
  • Factor in hidden costs like move management, storage and dilapidations. Consider possible disruption to your core business due to IT downtime etc.
  • Involve security, IT, mechanical and electrical consultants at an early stage. Their requirements need to be coordinated by your architectural designer
  • Take lease length into account when investing in new infrastructure and IT. Consider a reduced spend on items that can’t easily be transitioned forward
  • To get staff on board with the move have your architectural team put together a high level visual presentation or a virtual reality walkthrough
  • Manage your own time effectively. Consider outsourcing practical management tasks to your architectural team as the lead consultant
  • A move is an opportunity to break with tradition. Work with your design team to embrace new ways of working and create multifunctional spaces
  • Share your staff wish list with the design team at an early stage. The earlier the implementation of design intent, the less cost is involved
  • Be clear on lines of communication between the design and construction teams to prevent you becoming the point of contact during the build

As architectural designers, our job at SKK is to help you create spaces that work in both form and function. We understand the challenges faced by many FMs, and so are well placed to help you make a seamless transition into your new offices.

A STYLE BIBLE FOR HOME AND BUSINESS MAKERS

Posted on by Lisa Wight

At SKK Design we are passionate about design. It’s what gets us up in the morning and keeps us in the office late at night. Whether we are working on an office, restaurant, private residence or retail store we love to create inspiring and innovative designs from clients’ visions.

It’s often said that style is easy to recognise but hard to define. Well here’s an overview of some of the more popular architectural styles. Which suits you?

Minimalist

Design Elements: uncluttered, clearly defined shapes and spaces, simple palettes without adornment, concealed services.

Purpose: maximising usable space in an environment that is easy to live within.

Industrial

Design Elements: An emphasis on visible engineering and functionality often featuring exposed structural members and services.

Purpose: Use of raw materials to provide prestigious yet practical building solutions.

Scandinavian

Design Elements: simple, spare interiors maximising the use of natural light and natural materials, including pale softwoods, statement furniture and rugs.

Purpose: to evoke the feeling of being at one with nature in a calming environment.

Contemporary

Design Elements: a pick and mix of 20th & 21st century styles referencing iconic designs of the past. Favours a neutral palette with clean lines and organic shapes.

Purpose: not to be confused with ‘modern’ but staying true to modern thinking.

Traditional

Design Elements: elegant, of the period, classic detailing and proportions, traditional use of materials and craftsmanship, ornate.

Purpose: grandiose, respectful of history, homely and classy.

Bohemian

Design Elements: a random blend of cultural references, bold and striking in both palette and texture, often with earth coloured hues as a backdrop.

Purpose: to be free of convention, a daring exploration of eclectic style.

Rustic

Design Elements: oversized components, natural materials such as stone, timber and terracotta with natural or aged finishes and simple detailing.

Purpose: to give a sense of simplicity and use timeless rather than modern materials.

To learn more about each design concept and its characteristics keep visiting our website, we’ll be featuring each of these concepts in more detail in our future blogs.

7 ways to serve up a vibrant cafe culture

Posted on by Lisa Wight

The caf is fast becoming the new pub. With the cost of a pint or glass of wine continuously rising, the caf is a cost-effective, family-friendly alternative for get- togethers, work meetings and local events. At SKK Design we have made a speciality of helping our clients launch new high street start-ups. Below are our seven strategies for making your caf design a popular and financial success.

By 2021 the coffee shop market is estimated to be worth a staggering 4.3 billion.

Starbucks, Costa and Pret dominate the High Street, yet even they are moving away from imposing formulaic designs. Customers expect welcoming and attractive spaces with quality goods. This is where the independents score. A growing market sector, they can provide quirky individuality with roots firmly in the local community.

Here are our 7 strategies for success in caf design:

  • Geographical Location. Ask yourself: what is missing in the areas current offer that you could provide? Does your building have an interesting history or feature you could capitalise on?
  • Use of Local Labour and Materials. Sustainability is a huge trend and creates a good deal of lasting good will. Work together with other small businesses.
  • Open Plan Kitchens. Not only can these create additional seating space, they also involve and engage the customer: sharing smells, sounds and activity.
  • Technology: see what your rivals are offering and try and improve on it. You may choose to offer only USB ports by hard stools to discourage guests from buying just one coffee!
  • Space Planning: put the customer experience first by creating an environment conducive to sales and accessibility without neglecting the aesthetics which give the space its character.
  • Maximisation. Can you offer more than daytime coffee and pastries? Could you cater to evening events like wine tastings, collaborations with local artisans and the sale of alcohol?
  • Costs. If you need to apply for Planning, Listed Building Consent or landlord approval, have an outline set of drawings and specifications that can be accurately costed by a builder.

Creating a concept for caf design is only the beginning.

Planning, design and turning your vision into reality takes expertise and experience.

Be clear on your target audience, know your market and find an architectural designer who shares your values, enthusiasm and vision.