FAO Schwartz Workplace, HK Office Interior Project, Brand Development, Architecture Images

FAO Schwartz Workplace in HK

Hong Kong Office Interior Architecture Development – design by Studio X

18 Feb 2019

Playful & Interactive Workplace

Architects: Studio X

Location: HK

Studio X Creates Playful & Interactive Workplace in Hong Kong for US Company

Studio X has taken on a prominent role in the relaunch of the FAO Schwartz retail brand by joining the Global design team responsible for its reincarnation and repositioning as the world’s leading toy store.

This project, a prototype retail store, is designed to show off the newest incarnation of FAO Schwartz. Studio X was responsible for design through to completion, including visual merchandising design, custom graphics, and shopfront design whilst also taking full responsibility for Detail Design, Tender management, and onsite supervision.

Studio X have designed and delivered a new workplace and showspace environment in Hong Kong for product development company, ThreeSixty Group, providing them with a showcase for their portfolio of global brands and includes a full scale FAO Schwartz prototype retail store.

Studio X have reimagined the working environment of ThreeSixty Group – who design, manufacture, distribute, and retail a diverse portfolio of innovative consumer products globally – doubling their capacity and providing them with a brand new Asia HQ, within Octa Tower in Kowloon Bay.

The 17,000sqft entire-floor office includes playful installations and abstract cues to engage and educate visitors and provide a regional context. The space has been divided into two main zones, with a ‘living’ workplace and product development showcase on one side, and a buyers showroom and prototype retail store and product gallery on the other.

Upon arrival guests are greeted by a logo wall made from 12,000 chopsticks, and a transparent glass product showcase room, providing a glimpse through to the working area beyond and emphasising the scale of the space, along with a whole-wall bespoke graphic artwork which pierces through both zones. The material palette was developed using ‘elemental’ materials, and executed using a deliberately engineered design language and an exposed ceiling throughout.

Studio X conducted several rounds of interviews with each client team and found that a one size fits all approach in terms of an open or closed working environment would not provide an optimal environment in terms of productivity and communication. In response, they created a series of custom designed spaces for each team so that designers could collaborate and listen to music, while lawyers could work free of distraction.

A high proportion of space given was also given to living and socialising, an usual attribute for a Hong Kong office, given the limitation over space and the city being the world’s most costly office rental market.

The client was heavily engaged throughout the project brief development – which needed to be in step with the business’s own dynamic transformation. That relationship also helped ensure that the entire project was successfully completed in 7 months, from concept to practical completion, despite including a complicated phasing exercise in order to keep the business up and running throughout the construction process without the need to function from two premises.

Studio X worked extensively on journey planning, to ensure that the space can be used intuitively for hosting clients who can be led through a series of interconnected experiences, woven together to create a seamless journey. Subtle level changes and runways have also been introduced to control views and create a sense of intrigue and excitement for visitors. Much emphasis has also been placed on the views over the old airport and the sunset over the iconic Hong Kong skyline – which features an illustrated translucent window graphic to help visitors identify key landmarks.

The project features a series of more intimate zones and installations such as a snug space for entertaining clients with a selection of fine tea and whisky which was inspired by oriental colonial salons from the 19th century, and a tensile wire ceiling which represents the amount of electrical wiring that goes into producing Three Sixty’s best selling remote control toy car.

Studio X was responsible for strategic brief development, concept design, construction drawings, tender administration, full on-site supervision and project management.

Playful & Interactive Workplace in HK – Building Information

Design: Studio X
Client: ThreeSixty Group
Location: Hong Kong
Year: 2018
Size: 1,150 sqft
Scope: Architecture Interior Design

Photography: Studio X

FAO Schwartz Workplace in HK images / information received 180219

Location: Hong Kong

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