"If we interpret the word ‘office’ as a space used for work and consider the benefits it offers in this day and age, where one can work practically from anywhere, we might question whether the work-from-home method is really an efficient way of working. The context from which this question is asked, however, provides us with an answer: ‘Why wouldn’t it be?’
At the beginning of the pandemic, when people were forced to stay away from each other physically and use their homes as workspaces, the future of office space was speculated to change, with the expectation that its significance would lessen. We, however, disagree with this theory. In fact, our belief aligns with that of a company that, despite the pandemic, decided to focus more on the development of its physical office space.
Exotic Food (XO) is a public company that exports Thai food and flavors to countries worldwide. The foundation of XO’s success lies in its ability to constantly adapt to change. The decision to improve and expand the office, especially in this particular time, coincides with our belief that office space will remain important and even grow in significance, even when people no longer need to be physically at the office to work.
What this means is that current and future office spaces will not only cater to work practices as they did in the past, but are also expected to represent and communicate an organization’s corporate identity while facilitating collective goals and unity among employees.
The colors red and black, along with other elements that convey XO’s identity, are used to create a strong, unified image, recognizable both to the company’s personnel and to visitors who may either visit the actual office or view it online. These elements of XO’s corporate identity will become something employees can identify with, while visitors can easily recognize and remember.
Even more important than the physical identity is the organization’s vision and how the office space works to align employees toward the same objectives with a unified mindset. The potential to be adaptive and creative, qualities that have helped the company attain success, is cultivated among the company’s staff through functional spaces that encourage teamwork and stimulate creativity.
The functional program of Exotic Food Headquarters is divided into four different sections:
1. Support Core
This section includes functions designed to improve staff work efficiency, such as small meeting rooms, phone booths for online meetings, managers’ offices, a workshop room, and storage. This part surrounds the main workspace without obstructing any natural light or beautiful outdoor surroundings.
2. Main Core
The central core comprises the main office space and other functional areas such as the canteen, bar, and amphitheater, which can accommodate various work-related and recreational activities.
3. External Core
These spaces are designed to accommodate visitors and include two main meeting rooms that can be partitioned or connected into one large conference room. Small meeting tables are used for their adaptability to support different functions, such as formal meetings, group workshops, or lectures. The area outside the meeting rooms contains a series of small pocket spaces that allow the company to host different groups of visitors simultaneously.
4. Internal Core
This casual workspace is designed to encourage teamwork. The spaces inside the Internal and External Cores have access to views of the city and the green spaces on Wireless Road, bringing a more pleasant and relaxing vibe to the interiors.
The front part of the Main Core, when combined with the External and Internal Cores, creates a large, connected functional space referred to as the XO Core. This area hosts activities that represent the organization’s corporate identity, particularly larger events such as Town Halls or company parties.
In a time when working is no longer limited to the physical space of an office (the “2nd place”), working from home (the “1st place”) may seem like a more convenient option, as it eliminates the need to waste time commuting through traffic. Not to mention, working from a nice café or other types of space (the “3rd place”) can feel more appealing than sitting in a cubicle.
Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that, ultimately, being in a physical workspace surrounded by colleagues still holds several benefits, including increased efficiency and the sense of unity that employees build and share. Therefore, the definition of a future workspace is one that encourages people to willingly come to the office to work together while serving as a clear and positive representation of the organization’s identity. Functionally, it must comprehensively accommodate work-related activities and attract employees to choose to work at the office rather than elsewhere. Rethinking the concept that once defined corporate office design to better resonate with contemporary situations will demonstrate that physical workspace will retain its significance in the present and future. The office space that can adeptly and suitably adjust to changes will serve as a key factor in the success of both individuals and the organization they are a part of."