Case Study - Nexspace - Architecture for flexibility

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream. Not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France

When Beckson Design Associates were commissioned by David Agger, founder of Nexspace, to create the Nexspace offices, they were told to create a "non-traditional, contemporary, and collegial" workspace. The workspace was to be able to meet "the emotional and physical needs of mobile staffers, emerging companies, temporary project teams, displaced sales units, consultants, and out-of-town companies."

And that's exactly what happened. The design was kept straightforward and simple to allow for easy transition into the space. The plan is divided into two mean areas. The first is the central area where amenities (such as copy print services, server room, main conference room, and the lounge and cafe) are shared [see bottom picture]. The second are flexible blocks of development which are divided into various size modules with mobile furniture. This allows for maximum flexibility in a now rearrangeable space. Thirty-nine companies or 200 occupants can fit the 17,000-square-foot space at a time.

Various sized traditional offices can seat from one to four people and are available in both interior and exterior spaces. Nexspace offers spaces titled "Development Rooms" that "are designed to promote interaction in intense multi-person projects facing a tight deadline". These spaces allow interaction for up to 10 people. Development rooms are built of semi-transparent fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) allowing the areas to be flooded with natural light. These FRP panels can also be used as floor-to-ceiling dry-marker board. The Development rooms and offices are placed away from the west curtain wall, creating a view that everybody can enjoy [see top two pictures]. Sitting areas allow occupants to gather or just quietly enjoy the downtown Los Angeles view.

Companies who have either used or are still in Nexspace include: Skunkworks, Hewlett-Packard, Boeing, LEGO, SONY Pictures, Showtime, Will Vinton Studios and others.

In order to emphasize the feeling of uniqueness while still becoming a part of a whole, the materials and furnishings were choosen for their individual properties, rather than coordinating with other pieces. Furnishings include pieces designed by Ray Eames, Karim Rashid, George Nelson and Alvar Aalto. Walls are painted white to allow the individual characteristics of each piece to shine. Just like each piece of furniture, this space allows each company office to express themselves and still work together-enter Nexspace.