Vacanza's Creative Hub | Waterfrom Design co. Ltd

Work feels like a vacation

Day-to-day life can also be a holiday.

"Put on your jewelry, and life becomes a holiday." This simple ideal struck a chord with us when we first encountered Vacanza — holidays are not out of reach, but rather a mindset of open perspectives. 

In the spatial design logic of Vacanza Accessory’s office, we discarded point-to-point, grid-like partitioning and instead opted for winding, non-directional pathways. These create a sense of “exploration” for the users as they move through the space, rather than adhering to the traditional focus on efficiency that compresses individual experience. We hope that through these meandering paths, even a brief walk from their desks to the breakroom can provide a moment of respite in a busy life, like a ritual of self-healing.

The beginning of a holiday: reshaping the rigid angles of the office layout.

The brand has expanded a new department space adjacent to the existing office, aiming to strengthen communication between the product development department and the design director, while also providing a more spacious environment for administrative and warehouse operations.

Based on the familiarity with the current location, the client first raised the issue of west-facing sunlight through the building’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Traditionally, meeting rooms are placed by the windows, making employees endure heat from sun exposure during meetings. Furthermore, the meeting rooms block the natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the walls of the regular department partitions further reduce the natural lighting in the work areas. 

To address this, we have designated the area near the entrance, which faces the intense westward sun, as a transient circulation space. This approach keeps work areas out of direct sunlight. Instead of traditional reception desks and waiting areas, we designed several high-backed seating units to create this transitional space. These seemingly random, sculptural blocks are arranged along the window, offering more flexibility than fixed partitions. Their design allows for controlled shading while providing sun protection. Visitors can cool off in the shade of the chairs while waiting, and the client can utilize the wall like chair backs to display brand messages. 

45-degree angled thinking: a winding spatial path for movement

We also began to wonder what the conventions of traditional spaces are. Beyond simply dividing public and private areas or efficiently organizing departmental seating, are there more interesting ways to rethink how we manage time and space? After all, work occupies a significant portion of our daily lives. How can we use spatial design to transform interactions and experiences within this context? 

The conventional horizontal and vertical office layout may appear efficient in terms of communication flow but often results in long corridors. Therefore, we aimed to break from this norm by orienting seating arrangements at a 45-degree angle relative to the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. This approach not only addresses the issue of westward sun exposure but also increases overall natural light intake. Additionally, by avoiding full-height partitions, users can experience varying light intensities, background colors, and even dynamic sounds from different corners of the room. This setup creates a visual continuity with the spaces behind and above, enhancing the perception of spatial scale. 

By arranging the walls with angled turns and visual continuity, we not only avoid harsh sunlight but also allow light to meander to the back of the space, naturally enhancing the sense of flow and exploration. Moving away from traditional point-to-point, grid-like office layouts, we implemented winding, non-directional pathways. With partitions that do not reach the ceiling, we extend the communication route from point A to point B, encouraging more movement and interaction. This winding journey allows users to reflect, breathe, and release, much like a ritual of self-healing.

The Philosophy of Exposure and Concealment in Work Interactions

In addition to the 45-degree angle altering the perspective, a main partition dividing the departments is designed with a curved wall that does not completely enclose the pathway, allowing for a gradual unfolding of each area’s work dynamics. Upon entering the open office area, you will first encounter the product display area, the product development department, and the design director’s office. This area serves as the core of the space, with a droplet-shaped curve defining the boundaries between the product development department and the director’s office. However, it does not entirely block the flow or natural light.

Given that the product development department emphasizes creativity and has strong needs for interaction and connectivity, it must be adjacent to the director’s office to facilitate timely discussions. Once the spatial boundaries are defined, the shared workbench for the product development department serves both work and meeting functions. The table is partially recessed and cut at an angle according to the number of people, giving this uniquely shaped table edges that accommodate different seating orientations. The recessed area is designated as the supervisor's seating zone, facilitating creative communication while maintaining privacy. This design eliminates the hierarchical separation typically created by physical partitions, and visually aligns with the overall strategy of openness and breaking boundaries.

The pathways lead to an open, plaza-like area, where private meeting rooms are placed along the walls. These rooms maintain the diagonal contours to incorporate natural light, resembling a complete cube pushed inward. Within the volumes, partial and misaligned layers provide concealment, with movable panels controlling the degree of openness.

These walls, with varying heights and angles, guide the viewer's sight as if they were placing individual scenes, each turn offering a new perspective. This setup reflects the relationship between seeing and being seen, mirroring the overall spatial logic. Just like a film negative, the empty spaces need light and human interaction to be filled with meaning. 

The philosophy of work interactions involves both the dispersal and concentration of space, as well as the balance between concealment and exposure. This dynamic creates a comfortable rhythm for the journey. The distance between individuals transforms into positive emotional or creative energy, while the cohesion of the group and the free exchange of opinions form a strong core that supports consensus and shared understanding.

Viewing angles and physical partitions offer flexibility in behavior.

In this space, the overall design is interconnected, with the ability to branch out for individuals or small groups, striking a balance between rigidity and looseness. The inclusive continuity provides users with a supportive and soothing environment that continually creates meaningful experiences.

Previously chaotic storage areas due to inventory operations have been relocated to the far end of the space. While open shelving is still used for convenience, the new layout differs from the past’s stark division. By incorporating 45-degree angles, the design filters out more chaotic elements and uses the seating area and partitions as a foreground. This approach preserves some dynamic aspects of the inventory process, allowing visual extensions through the space. Even the end view of the inventory area becomes an engaging and interesting scene.

We use irregular lines to guide usage patterns rather than rigidly dividing spaces by departmental numbers. In a non-rectangular, non-standard office layout, colors and materials are crucial indicators for defining work areas or transitioning between zones. Large blocks of contrasting colors create strong impressions, especially in the product development department, which requires creative stimulation. Just like the diversity of jewelry, this approach offers more sources of inspiration for team members. 

For example, one of the work areas is separated by a cold storage PVC curtain instead of traditional partitions. Its translucent, vibrant yellow not only creates a striking visual impact, but also allows light to pass through, casting unique gradients and permeating into adjacent areas. This effect contrasts and interacts with another birch plywood panel stained in indigo, forming a visually intense focal point along the workspace path. The ceiling and flooring, on the other hand, use desaturated light gray-green and pastel blue tones, maintaining the color scheme while easing the intensity, creating a subtle shift in the overall atmosphere.

Carefully appreciating the aesthetics: using materials to apply a filter to different areas.

To achieve quality within effective cost control, we utilize raw materials extensively. For instance, we use dyed plywood instead of veneer, galvanized steel for partition walls, and colored carpet tiles for flooring. These materials are close to their essence and do not require additional surface treatments. Even the original lightweight steel frames in the office are only modified by changing their color.

As you move through the space, you'll observe how the light changes at different times of the day. The galvanized panels along the dividing lines, which reflect light, create an effect similar to fill lighting within the environment. Background colors and human shadows are reflected and layered onto these panels, and the gradient resembles the effect of the stained blue plywood. The interplay of reflected and refracted light creates a dynamic environment, offering new discoveries each day. This approach allows users to experience subtle changes in their surroundings amidst their busy routines, breaking the monotony of daily cycles and continually stimulating their perceptual abilities with varied work vistas.

The color tones and material textures transitioning between different areas of the space are akin to capturing various scenes of a vacation. There's a conference table sharply focused like a digital image under daylight; a bright yellow filter reminiscent of old film rolls; and perforated metal sheets offering views that blur like low-resolution imagery. These varied perspectives enhance and annotate sensory experiences, much like frames captured through different lenses and mediums.

As The Secret Life of Walter Mitty conveys, amid everyday trivialities, we should boldly step out of our routines to seek our own "Film No. 25." In the workplace, even small, approachable details, when they disrupt the monotony, signify the beginning of a journey. 

Layout：Reception Desk, Small Showroom, Product Development Department, Employee Break Area, Activity Discussion Area, Meeting Room, Director's Office, Administration Department, Storage and Logistics Department, Purchasing Department, Server Room, Copy Room

Design Period：2024.02～2024.04

Construction Period：2024.05～2024.07

Materials: Stained Birch Plywood, Galvanized Steel Sheet, C-shaped Columns, Faux Painted Wallpaper, Square Floor Tiles, Vinyl Flooring, PVC Curtains

Photography：Studio Millspace