VHI INNOVATION HUB

Brief: To design an Innovation Hub that would allow the client to bring together staff from all departments to work collaboratively on new and innovative projects. A series of balconies were inserted at the level of the roof to allow visual links between the social spaces on the first and second floor and the new Innovation Hub.

These balconies are used as casual meeting spaces for all staff. The underside of these balconies serves a second function, to hold the AC units. The functionality of the Innovation Hub is key to its success. It has been designed to be used as a series of three aligned groupings which can be combined into a large single space. These groups of tables can be separated with a series of mobile glass boards that are wheeled in when necessary.

To indicate this combined possibility, the concept was developed to use a large single joinery element. This new ribbon element is brightly coloured in a vibrant yellow. It forms a single piece that runs along the full length of the space and at the end it turns up and becomes a presentation space.

The element holds magnetic glass boards for project materials, and it is lined top and bottom with acoustic panels in matching colour. At the presentation space the yellow ribbon twists and folds up to create a canopy.

Architects: MDO Architects
Project Manager: O’Beirne Jenkins
Quantity Surveyor: O’Beirne Jenkins
M&E Engineer: SEHA Consulting Engineers
Contractor: Collen