Office Buildings: A Design Manual

Offices, as a category of building, have undergone dramatic changes in the last few years. Increasing economic globalization, new information and communication technologies, and ecological considerations are all making demands on a branch of architecture which for nearly a century had been marked by the construction norms and standards, and the requirements of office organisation. These old solutions are, however, no longer viable for many modern companies, where flexibility and mobility determine the working day of the new office nomads. With some 70 international examples (including projects from Norman Foster, Frank O. Gehry, Thomas Herzog, Morphosis MVRDV, Renzo Piano, SOM), the authors and editors show how the new issues facing architects can be resolved. Thematic contributions by experts in various disciplines discuss topics such as models of work organisation, façade technology, climatic regulation, lighting etc. This volume is a crucial standard work in the design of offices.