Office Buildings: Reinventing the corporate world

A new Approach in Space Planning

And Interior Design

By

Louie Jay T. Despi

BS Architecture Student
Mapua Institute of Technology, 2014

A Proposal Submitted to the School of Architecture-Interior Design-Built

Environment in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements of the Course
AR-200/200S/200F-Architectural Thesis
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Major

Mapua Institute of Technology

December 2014

CHAPTER 1.1: THE PROBLEM

INTRODUCTION
The productivity and comfort of the user are affected by the design of an office building. An
office building should have a home like ambiance for the comfort of the user. Studying this
factor will help improve the potentials of business offices by creating an effective office design
by gathering information from the office workers and applying the gathered information for the
purpose of improving offices.
In our country wherein office design should be improved this study will help guide future
designer when designing office buildings. The location wherein the study will be conducted is
within the vicinity of Metro Manila. The will be conducted
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The primary purpose of this study is to determine the issue and concerns on designing offices
which regards to a more effective planning and proper colour schemes of spac es. The comfort
and productivity level of the users or office workers while inside the building. Locating and
orienting office spaces and the effectiveness of it to the user will be the focus mostly of the
study. In the arrangement of spaces, openings of windows will also be considered for the space
planning and serves as additional subject to the study.

More specifically, it attempted to answer the following questions:

1. What interior elements should be enhanced and removed in order for the solution to be
effective?
2. What type of interior character would be suited for the effectiveness of the solution?
3. Will the new approach on the design for the circulation of the office affects the users
productivity?
Corporate offices modernized design in the international level was effective in their own settings
and types of users, since these design were effective to other country it should be considered to
also be effective in our country too, by any chance. With a different approach to design based on
the research data that will be gathered will by the researcher that will be positive to both parties.

ASSUMPTION
Office design today needed more improvements for the benefits of the users, with such issues
like ventilation for such spaces. The study will give such new ways of placing and improving
office spaces by improving the design through the use of new colour schemes based on the
research.

The comfort of the workers are one the aspects that are considered when designing an office
for it will affect their productivity. Proper planning of spaces also includes right placement of
openings in order to admit enough natural sunlight and natural air from the environment. based
on the questionnaires will be implemented on the design of the interior spaces of the building.
Questions based on the framework of the study that will be answered by the participant for the
purpose of data gathering.

IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of the study is to have an additional guide for designing office buildings on
the aspect of space planning and the use of colours for the purpose of enhancing of productivity
of the user or office workers and their comfort while inside the building. It will help further for
the future designer on designing office buildings and will ensure that user's or rather the office
workers comfort will be attained.
LIMITATION
The study is limited to space planning and use of colour schemes inside the structure.
Improvements on natural ventilation design is also part of the study. It will not be concerned
for other factors needed for Improvement on materials; equipments and aesthetics will not be
included and concerned in this study.

DELIMITATION
For further research and description of the study, additional research about the openings and
ways of admitting unobstructed air flow or rather cross ventilation inside the building will be
done. The study will be conducted within six (6) weeks for the preparation of
questionnaire and approval of conducting a survey.

CHAPTER 1.2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

In (2014) Diamond, Feng and Qing case study on Shenzhen Institute of Building Research
Headquarters, The works spaces are built in order for the communication to be emphasized, an
integration of nature with the workplace and an environment which is people- friendly are one of
the carefully designed features of the building.

In (2013) Phillip Saieg and Chris Woldum stated that strategies such as shared conference rooms
and shared office services make efficient use of office space and financial resources. In addition,
Shared conference rooms, coordinated via online scheduling software, red uce space waste and
help to keep rents down.

In 2011 Jens Schulte Bockum stated We needed to break out of traditional offices, to
something fresh, new, even heretical. on the design of Vodafone office in Amsterdam,
Netherlands. While other contact centres are design on which spaces are compress, Vodafone's
design that is created is a more space efficient reflecting their brand? The office design offers
collaboration between different teams, workplace being vibrant which helps employees

productivity for a more effective service for the customers.

In (2010) Sethi et al., conducted a case study on The Terry Thomas, a commercial office
building in Seattle on which they stated that incorporating day lighting, natural ventilation plus
the individual control of indoor environment will enhance users welfare. Development of office
staffs productivity inside the building follows upon the enhancing user's or office staff's welfare
inside the office building.

In (2013) Anna Rado, an open-plan offices are has a negative effect on the productivity of office
workers. An office worker that happens to work in an open-plan type of office tends to be less
productive. The reasoning behind is that the overhearing of conversations inside the office
happens to be very distracting and intrusive for them. In addition, older workers while working
don't like noise.

In (2014) Jon Card explains that office design should be infused to a home with added amenities
that will suit the needs of the workers relaxation inside the building. Turning the design of
offices infused home design and some features, the productivity of the workers will be increased

since they all tends to be relaxed by the climate where they work.

In (2014) Laura Entis explains that office design should promote focus to workers. In order for
the workers to be productive, they need to maintain a level of unbroken attention. Office workers
working area should in a more quite location where workers can avoid too much distraction from
others. A cubicle for each worker is advised for the purpose of separating the worker to one
another and to avoid unnecessary distraction, but the cubicle should be free of door for the
purpose of ease of access to other workers transaction.

In (2014) Maria Konnikova says that an open environment may have a negative impact among
the health of workers. Since based on some researches, working in a single room office has the
least percentage of having a sick leave than working in a two-person office and in a fully open
office. But the most problematic aspect that should be considered is it's physical like a simple
noise. Noise that occur inside the office distracts the workers focus, thus affecting the focus of
the workers affects their productivity.

In (2012) according to the Philippine star, Peter Brenan says on the BDO Corporate Tower in
Ortigas that, The building has been designed to international grade A standards. The planning is
functional and efficient, and floor-plates allow flexible layouts for both single and multiple
tenancies. It will also create a better work surrounding for the building users, an important factor
in todays competitive office market.

In (2014) according to Manila Bulletin, That in the Philippines, key to affecting the importance
of a mobile workplace strategy is the young demographic profile, which is a factor considered by
business process outsourcing (BPO) companies and other multinationals. Employees in these
organizations are generally young as compared to their North American and European
counterparts. CBRE Research states that young workers are typically open to workplace design
and environment, making them more receptive to workplace strategies.

Chapter 1.3 Research Design and Procedure

Research methods used

The method used by the researcher is a Descriptive Method wherein it will attempt to
describe, explain and interpret such conditions which concern to the present ways of space
planning of a Office building. This method will examine the trends that are evident for the
purpose of describing the subject. It will also be concerned on the existing conditions of the topic
and the opinions of different people where information will be gathered. All the data's that will
be gathered upon the implementation of the sampling procedure will be explained.

Research instruments
The researcher used a naturalistic observation method as an instrument for the purpose of
gathering data from a group of office workers, knowing their movement on different spaces
inside the building. A questionnaire is used for the purpose of gathering information from a
larger group of people and finding several information of which will guide the researcher on
describing it extensively.

Research locale:

Location of Solaris One (office Building)

Near:
RCBC Plaza Yuchengco Tower
Makati Medical
Metrobank main office

Address:
Dela Rosa Street, San Lorenzo, Makati City
Dela Rosa Street
Makati, Metro Manila The study was conducted in the building of Solaris One building, wherein

Survey was conducted to the various locations or spaces inside the buildings premises. The
rationale behind the choice is that since

Population universe and subjects of the study:

The population universe will be the office workers working on different department areas
within the building.

Research Design
The research design will be the overall design or plan for obtaining answers that will guide
the researchers for the study. This Study used an questionnaire method for gathering data's to
describe the existing and contributing factors and problems for the improvement of the space
planning and colour scheme inside the office building. The data gathered will be evaluated and
will then be studied and suggested improvements will be based on the information registered in
the respondents answers sheet.

Statistical treatment
After the data gathering is conducted, the data's gathered from the certain area's inside the
building will be described or summarized statistically. Data's are all presented in a way that it
will show the information's in a table form showing the places were problems were found. Then
based on the gathered information from the different spaces, problems found will be described
evaluated in order to know what king of solutions should be suggested.

CHAPTER 1.3
PART I: Interior Design of the building
Do you like your office?
70

60

50

40

30

59

20
26
10

15
0
Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

0
Strongly Disagree

The figure shows that 26% of the respondents strongly agree on liking their office, 59% Agree
on liking their office. On the other hand there are 15% whom disagree on liking their office and
0% on strongly Disagree.

Do you enjoy working in the office?

60

50

40

30

56

20

10

22

22

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

The figure shows that 22% of the respondents strongly agree on enjoying while working in their
office, 56% Agree on enjoying while working in their office. On the other hand there are 22%
whom disagree on enjoying while working in their office and 0% on strongly Disagree.

Do you feel comfortable while in your office?

60

50

40

30

56

20
33
10

15

0
Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

0
Strongly Disagree

The figure shows that 33% of the respondents strongly agree on their comfort ability while in
the office, 56% Agree on their comfort ability while in the office. On the other hand there are
15% whom disagree on their comfort ability while in the office and 0% on strongly Disagree.

Do you feel productive while in your office?

70

60
50

40
63

30
20

10

22
11
4

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

The figure shows that 22% of the respondents strongly agree on their productive ability while in
the office, 63% Agree on their productive ability while in the office. On the other hand there are
11% whom disagree on their productive ability while in the office and 4 % on strongly Disagree.

Do you feel distracted while inside your office?

45
40

35
30
25
41

20
33

15

10
5

19
7

Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

The figure shows that 7% of the respondents strongly agree on being distracted while in the
office, 33% Agree on being distracted while in the office. On the other hand there are 41%
whom disagree on being distracted while in the office and 19% on strongly Disagree.

Do you feel bored while inside your office?

60

50

40

30
52
20
29
10

15
4
Strongly Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

The figure shows that 4% of the respondents strongly agree on being bored while in the office,
29% Agree on being bored while in the office. On the other hand there are 52% whom disagree
on being bored while in the office and 15% on strongly Disagree.

PART II
What color of the given choices you like most?

Pie Chart
4%

4%

11%

GREEN
22%

BLUE
22%

RED

YELLOW
WHITE

GRAY
BLACK

15%
22%

The figure shows that 22% of the respondents mostly liked colours white, blue & red. 15% of the
respondents liked colour yellow.11% of the respondents liked colour green. On the other hand
4% on gray and black.

What color of the given choices will help you to relax?

Pie Chart
26%

30%

GREEN
BLUE

RED
YELLOW

WHITE

11%

GRAY
BLACK
33%

The figure shows that 33% of the respondents mostly liked colours blue. 30% of the respondents
liked colour . 26% of the respondents liked colour green. 11% of the respondents liked colour
green.

CHAPTER 1.5 CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Part I: Interior design of the building
Most of the respondents were satisfied with the colour scheme and condition of the office. In
addition, many responses stated that the colour scheme used currently is energizing. The
statement that the colour scheme is closely related to productivity at work is agreed with by most
of the respondents. With surroundings that give light, calmness and comfort to the user, the
productivity will be enhanced.

Most of the respondents were agreeing that they like their office workplace and were even
enjoying their workplace while doing their designated works. In terms of comfort ability it is
clear that majority of the respondents were comfortable working while inside the office while
still a little percentage of the respondents disagree on the question. Most of the respondents were
satisfied with the colour scheme and condition o f the office.

Based on the methodologies conducted to find out the system of colour and its behaviour, it is
concluded that different people have different approaches towards colour perception. This may
be seen through the colour preferences made by the respondents through the questionnaire.
Basically, most of the respondents within the case studies chose blue as their favourite colour,

besides identifying it as a colour that increases energy to work and also calming. In order to
select the most appropriate colour scheme, there should be discussion between the office users
about their colour preference for the scheme, in order to enhance productivity.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The colour scheme is a crucial aspect of the design and space planning of an office. The choice
of colour scheme requires planning and consideration of the effect of colour on the building user
and the system of colour should be identified. From the research conducted, it can be concluded
that offices in our country still lack awareness in choosing a colour scheme that is suitable for an
office.

CHAPTER 2.1
Research Focus: Rationale

The goal of the proposal is to change and create something new about interior space planning of
office buildings. The purpose is to apply a new concept for better experience and working of office
employees. Working through this concept, changing the perspective view of a typical office interior
planning is a must.
This study will create strategic plans which shall be seen on forms, arrangement of fixtures and
furniture and lighting elements. These strategic plans will help with the productivity of the employees and
make them enthusiastic at work place.
Therefore I conclude that this research will guide other designers in planning and designing office
buildings.

CHAPTER 2.2
Research Focus: Guidelines to Strategic Planning
This research aims to transform the regular, dull environment of an office workplace. To illustrate
the concept, see the concept of the following listed below:

SOLARIS Building The Australian and New Zealand Banking Group rented a floor space in the
building. The concept applied is minimizing a whole functioning group into a single floor space.
The company did not bother to build a new building, instead, rented a floor space. The challenge
is how to create a convenient and enthusiastic environment for employees in a small space.

One of the goals is to create new ideas that have an effective space planning. These principles can be
accomplished by following the philosophies from contemporary architecture. The following
guidelines are based on articles written in the architectural website The New Yorker titled The OpenOffice Trap by Maria Konnikova

Color Scheme color has a psychological effect on the mental status of the employees working at the
office space. Knowledge on how to use and mix colors are important in determining the productivity
of the employees.

Comfort Space Office is a stressful workplace, people need rest from time to time. The addition of
comfort spaces around the office workplace will allow the employees to rest during the break time to
maintain optimum work efficiency.

Workplace Layout A lot of factors should be considered when laying out spaces of the office as it
can affect the environment and the architecture greatly in general. The orientation of spaces would be
critical as it would affect how employees interact with one another, how employees would go around
the building, and where employees would enter and exit.

Travel Time The importance of travel time could affect the behaviour of employees in a way that
their physical exhaustion can transform into psychological exhaustion.

ECONOMICAL DESIGN
We need to break out of traditional offices, to something freash, new, even heretical
Jens Schulte Bockum, CEO, Vodafone

Firstly, we must follow these important steps based on human resources

-

Transform, by transforming we break out of tradition which in return will result in

Redefining, by redefining we breed new practices which will

Refine, by refining we improve our mindset therefore

We will come up with new innovations that will help transform, redefine and refine the
workplace based on human resources

Secondly, at the work environment level, space must be designed in a way that :
-

Encourage employees to talk to each other

Create a homey atmosphere in the office

Offer a place for employees to interact with each other

Provide a more aesthetically pleasing space

Deliver a new perspective

Therefore, by following these steps and suggestions this will create new ways in planning and
creating an environment inside the office workplace

Chapter 2.3
Research Focus: Research Application

Office Design Modern Office Furniture

Newton Executive Office Center

The application that were presented will be visible through majorly by using colours for creating
new various theme and environment on the workplace. Different combinations and variations of
colours to apply strategically by presenting a new ways of approaching the design of modern
office interiors.

Reinventing new ways to promote enthusiasm for the users which in these case are the office
workers and officers that will be using the building. Using of effective colours schemes for a
more effective psychological enthusiasm that will boost the productivity level and comfort
ability of the users.
Adding a new twist on the appearance of the environment in the interiors of offices. Playing
with the circulation and space planning.

CHAPTER 3.1
Site Selection Process
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION : (based on the case study)

Should be near public transportation.

Should be in urban place.

Should be near major roads for easy access.

Should not have restrictions on height limits for possible high rise proposal.

Should be near commercial areas.

Should be accessible to all commuters.

Should be near the central business district of city.

Should be near office buildings.

SITE OPTION:

LOCATION
Commonwealth Ave. UP Campus Diliman, Quezon City
The site is located in between two roads commonwealth
Ave and University Ave. And facing UP Technohub.
And composed of one(1) Tax Declaration of Real Property

LOCATION:

EDSA Bagong Pag-Asa Quadrangle,

Quezon City.
The Site is fronting EDSA and is located within the Bagong Pag-asa Quadrangle

The site is composed of one(1)

Tax Declaration of Real Property

LOCATION:
EDSA Bagong Pag-Asa Quadrangle,
Quezon City.
The site is in the corner of Quezon Ave and
BIR road

The site is composed of one(1) Tax

Declaration of Real Property

CHAPTER 3.2
Site Evaluation And Analysis
THE MACRO SETTING

The proposed project will be located in Metro Manila since metro manila has most of the Cities
that are rising economically on business grounds. An office building would fit for the need of the
busy city especially that the economy of the is gradually growing.

Population
Total

11,855,975

Density

19,000/km2 (48,000/sq mi)

Geography
Located at 1440' N 1213 E, Metro Manila is situated on
an isthmus bound by Laguna de Bay to the south-east and
Manila Bay to the west. The metropolitan area lies on a
wide flood plain composed mainly of alluvial soil deposits.
The area is bounded by Bulacan to the north, Rizal to the
east, Laguna to the south and Cavite to the southwest. The
swampy isthmus on which the western metropolitan area
partly lies has an average elevation of 10 meters. The
eastern area lies on a ridge gradually rising towards the
foothills of the Sierra Madre and overlooks the Marikina
River valley, which is part swamp.

Climate
Metro Manila has three climate tropical wet and dry climate and a tropical monsoon climate.
Manila, which features less rainfall than Quezon City, has a tropical wet and dry climate while
Quezon City features a tropical monsoon climate. Together with the rest of the Philippines,
Metro Manila lies entirely within the tropics. Its proximity to the equator means that the
temperature range is very small, rarely going lower than 20 C or higher than 38 C. However,
humidity levels are usually very high, making it feel much warmer. It has a distinct, albeit
relatively short dry season from January through May, and a relatively lengthy wet season from
June through December.

THE MICRO SETTING

Quezon City was chosen because of its strategic locatio n and planning which will help for the
effectiveness of the proposed building type. The strategic planning and transportation potential
of the Quezon City suites the need for the site selection category.

Population
Total

2,761,720

Density

16,617/km2 (43,040/sq mi)

Geography
Quezon City is bordered by Manila to the southwest, by Caloocan and Valenzuela City to the
west and northwest. To the south lies San Juan and Mandaluyong, while Marikina and Pasig
borders Quezon City to the southeast. To the north across Marilao River lies San Jose del Monte
in the province of Bulacan and to the east lies Rodriguez and San Mateo, both in the province of
Rizal.
The city can be divided into a number of areas. The southern portion of the city is divided into a
number of places including Diliman, Commonwealth, the Project areas, Cubao, Kamias,
Kamuning, New Manila, San Francisco del Monte, and Santa Mesa Heights. The northern half
of the city is often called Novaliches and contains the areas of Fairview and Lagro. Most of these
areas have no defined boundaries and are primarily residential in nature.
Climate
Quezon City features a tropical monsoon climate, with warm weather and dry and wet seasons.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THE SITE:

Chapter 3.3
RELATED LAWS AND ORDINANCES
P. D. 1185 Fire Code of the Philippines and Its Implementing Rules and Regulations
B. P. 344 Accessibility Law and Its Implementing Rules and Regulations
R. A. 184 Philippine Electrical Code
P. D. 856 Code on Sanitation of the Philippines and Its Implementing Rules and Regulations .
R. A. 1378 National Plumbing Code of the Philippines and Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations
P. D. 1096 National Building Code of the Philippines and Its Implementing Rules and
Regulations

CHAPTER 3.3
Site Development Options

SITE ANALYSIS OF EDSA

BAGONG PAG ASA
QUADRANGLE,
QUEZON CITY

Site Analysis
Concept Site Development

SITE ANALYSIS OF
COMMOWEALTH AVE. UP
CAMPUS DILIMAN,
QUEZON CITY

s addas dasd

Site Analysis
Concept Site Development

PROPOSED MASSING OF THE STRUCTURE FOR COMMONWEALTH AVE. LOT

REFERENCES
User Satisfaction in Sustainable Office Buildings: A Preliminary Study
Development
Perceptions and Realities
http://www.epa.gov/p3/success/michigan.pdf
Doing Well by Doing Good?
Green Office Buildings
Piet Eichholtz
Maastricht University
Netherlands
p.eichholtz@finance.unimaas.nl
Nils Kok
Maastricht University
Netherlands
n.kok@finance.unimaas.nl
John M. Quigley
University of California
Berkeley, CA
quigley@econ.berkeley.edu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Manila
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quezon_City#Economy
http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-remains-cheapest-bpo-destination/
(Quezon City Hall Assessor's Office)

APPENDICES

Questionnaires used for data

gathering and survey