RBK Offices
The Vision
RBK sought to break the mould of the traditional, old-fashioned accountancy office. Opening their first Dublin office in a prime location, their vision was to create a contemporary, dynamic workspace that could accommodate a diverse range of staff, from trainees to managing partners. The challenge was to foster a collaborative work environment that would maintain a clear hierarchy without creating barriers between different levels of staff, ensuring effective oversight and support for trainees while promoting teamwork across departments.
Challenges
RBK had several architectural and design challenges to overcome:
- Hierarchy with Collaboration: Balancing the need for a hierarchical structure while minimising barriers between staff levels, ensuring oversight of trainees without hindering teamwork.
- Natural Light: Ensuring all staff had access to natural light, despite perimeter offices and meeting rooms lacking this feature initially.
- Canteen & Meeting Rooms: Designing a canteen near the meeting rooms that could be accessed from both the staff area and reception.
- Mechanical Design: Integrating efficient heating, cooling, and ventilation systems within the architectural design while addressing specific mechanical constraints.
- Budgetary Constraints: Meeting the client’s expectations while staying within a limited budget.
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Overcoming the Challenges
To address these challenges, several innovative design solutions were implemented:
- Glazed Windows for Oversight: Internal glazed windows were strategically placed throughout the office. These allowed the managing partners to oversee the central, open-plan working space while still maintaining privacy in individual offices.
- Collaborative Space: The central working area was designed as an open-plan space, with managing partner offices offering visibility and oversight. This helped foster collaboration while maintaining the necessary levels of supervision.
- Smart Mechanical Design: The use of smart technology allowed for efficient mechanical distribution throughout the office. CO2 sensors in each room ensured heating and cooling were activated only when needed, contributing to energy efficiency. The system was fine-tuned to manage temperature variations, ensuring that no part of the office became too hot or cold in any season.
Canteen & Meeting Rooms: The design included a canteen positioned near meeting rooms, accessible both from the staff area and reception. Additionally, a more intimate, calming meeting room was created for handling more sensitive or emotional client cases.
The Result
The result was a modern, collaborative workspace that encouraged interaction from employee’s at all levels.
- Natural Light: Every space in the building benefits from natural light, promoting a healthier and more pleasant working environment.
- Collaborative Work Environment: The layout encourages interaction and collaboration among departments while maintaining the necessary hierarchy and oversight.
- Efficient Mechanical Systems: Smart mechanical systems ensure that the office is energy-efficient and comfortable year-round.
- Sensitive Meeting Spaces: A calming, intimate meeting room offers a private space for handling more emotional client cases, reflecting RBK's commitment to providing compassionate service.
With these design elements, RBK's new Dublin office stands as a testament to the innovative and thoughtful approach taken to meet their needs, creating a space that reflects their forward-thinking approach to accountancy.
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