GAJ announces handover of Miral headquarters
The design is said to be characterised by an unconventional selection of materials, finishes and furniture to create unique spaces for a distinctive spatial perception
Miral’s new headquarters in Abu Dhabi has been handed over by Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ). The new office is said to explore a progressive work environment with unconventional spaces that create an inspiring and efficient environment where employees enjoy the space they are in. GAJ said this leads to greater employee productivity.
According to a statement from GAJ, the office features a first for the region: a stainless steel indoor slide, which runs from the first floor to the ground floor. The element is said to add a sense of playfulness to the workplace.
“The office space of today is focused on balance. It is an environment designed to inspire employees so they enjoy coming to work and are much more productive while they are in the office. The slide is designed to recreate the element of risk-taking and independence just as it does in children which in turn helps foster revolutionary ideas, promote interaction and connectivity,” said Jason Burnside, partner at Godwin Austen Johnson.
Another dominant design feature is the open red stairway. This industrial looking staircase sits on a raised concrete plinth, which also serves as informal seating and acts as a social connection between the two levels. The rawness of the red oxide metal and the concrete is balanced by the colours of the soft seating, the firm stated.
The office is said to be spread over two floors and is designed to be fluid and flexible with open workspace concepts, engaging spaces and collaboration nodes. The raised access flooring system with ceiling voids has been designed to house the building infrastructure to ensure the space stays flexible for potential future changes. Single and double seater booths are equipped with AV connections to allow for virtual meetings with a giant projector screen installed at one end to allow the area to be quickly converted into a presentation zone, GAJ explained.
Continuing the industrial theme, greyscale has been used as the basic palette punctuated by splashes of colour – most notably bright yellow individual booths that are recessed into the interior walls. The stark neutral tones of the raw concrete is interspersed with black metal and warm wood accents, the statement concluded.
