A Space To Connect, Innovate & Grow

How the architects of Tomorrow Street’s offices created more than just a workspace — WW+, the architecture firm behind the design of Tomorrow Street’s innovation center, first and foremost set out to create a space that made people happy to go to work. The firm — with projects ranging from huge public buildings like the national library to smaller jobs — finally had the chance to share its finished product with the world at the recent Tomorrow Street launch. The top floor of the Vodafone building in Kirchberg was redesigned to foster creativity and build a sense of community. Members of the WW+ team — Luc Wagner, Silvia Matias and Irena Boskovic — share how this modern, one-of-a-kind space came to be and what they hope it will accomplish.
What was your vision for the project?

To make a nice space where people are happy to go and work and share the space together. We tried to make an atmosphere where people can be relaxed and feel like they’re at home.

In the beginning it was important to have one idea to tie the whole space together.

We had workshops to create concepts. One was to have different continents — different outdoor spaces, different landscapes — and the other one was the idea of urban landscapes. Because the name of the company is Tomorrow Street, the idea was that there is a connection to streets: we have squares, like meeting points, and all together it’s one city.

That’s why you can find working stations differently organized. Every working station is like a house, so it’s supposed to be different. Some rooms are meant to be a park in the city, for example.

What was your goal with the space?

If you are working in innovation and you are stuck with an idea, maybe you can change the space you are in to change your mind. You suddenly have new inspiration and that’s very important.

There are different areas. Maybe yesterday was stressful, so I’d go use a dark room to be calm and work; or maybe it’s raining and I want to have some sun, so I’d go into the other area. It’s like reacting to how you feel.

What’s your favorite part of the design?

The bar at the entrance when you come in. The bar is also an important part of the concept. From the beginning we said it should be like you’re not going to work.

It’s not really work because first I go to the bar to speak about what I’m going to do today or in the future. In the evening, I’m relaxed having a beer and speaking about the problems I had today, and maybe someone has a solution.

Everything is about meeting and exchanging innovation. Also, in the morning it should be communication first. That’s why we put the bar at the entrance.

And the idea is that when you first come in the colors are really dark and you are surprised and energized when you enter the working area: it’s really bright.

We had many discussions with the team from Tomorrow Street. It was very collaborative, and we enjoyed this project. We hope the companies will like working there.


This article was first published in the Autumn 2017 issue of SILICON magazine. Be the first to read SILICON articles on paper before they’re posted online, plus read exclusive features and interviews that only appear in the print edition, by subscribing online.

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