As Dubai city continues to develop and transform, many designers and architects work to creatively execute biophilic designs. These designs now conquer a lot of built environments these days. Biophilia means “love of nature”. Biophilic design incorporates nature into building spaces to contribute to the health and overall well-being of the occupants. This design concept has been present for many years, embracing the relationship between nature and the environment. It uses building materials and features that imitate and regard the surrounding ecosystem. Commonly, we see plants in many office biophilic designs nowadays. But SAP offices in Media City, Dubai, present more than just potted plants. The ample use of botanical forms and greeneries, daylighting, natural materials such as wood, earthy textures, and color pallets embody this workplace, making it unmissable.
The SAP Office
SAP is an international software company with numerous branches worldwide. The Bluehaus Group designed the company’s 75sqft. headquarters in Dubai. At the same time, the Al Tayer Stocks constructed the said office. This stunning project emanates the placidity of a garden and nature, although indoors. The design creates an “indoor-outdoor” connection within interior spaces or simply brings the outside inside. SAP offices have an open plan layout while popping out different interesting breakout areas. These breakout areas are usually in round-form rooms or rope partitions with nature-based material and foliage all over the walls and ceilings. While the interior design theme of the overall office is no doubt contemporary with the guiding principle of “biophilia,” it creates an active and healthy workplace environment.
The walls feature wallpapers of plants while it stressed its ceiling with an industrial look by making it black and exposed. Yet having linear metal grid drop, occasional rope, acoustic panels, and pattern features that create various private spaces and serve as a transition from one space to another. Floorings are just as well-planned as the ceiling with its carefully picked earthy carpet and color accents. A giant chessboard became another flooring accent as well. The ergonomic selection of office furniture is also well-considered in the design, making the overall look of this workplace not just biophilic but dynamic.
Need to Connect
The inherent need for people to connect to nature is primal and instinctual. It has a significant effect on employees’ well-being. It promotes relaxation and comfort even within the premises of a working environment. SAP offices in Media City Dubai carefully consider this a major part of their design. Being aware that their employees spend most of their days indoors and activities are sedentary. Thus, a biophilic design in their workplace is not just another piece of aesthetically good offices in Dubai worthy of a feature but also ones that permits a thriving environment for its occupants—physiologically and physically, increased productivity, and positive workplace morale.
Photo Credits: Chris Goldstraw Photography©
