Work Pod for Students Wurkstasjon by Ammar Kalo

Work Pod for Students Wurkstasjon by Ammar Kalo is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award yn Izer in Ynterieurromte en Útstallingûntwerp Competition Category.

IzerYnterieur· 2020

Work Pod for Students Wurkstasjon

by Ammar Kalo

Client: CAAD Design Build Initiative

A' Design Award yn Izer Winner in Ynterieur Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Work Pod for Students Wurkstasjon

Work Pod for Students is in wurkstasjon ûntworpen foar iepen-plan studio's en oare iepenbiere romten. De pod biedt in stille en semi-private plak foar solowurk. De konstruksje is makke fan aluminium, mei in polykarbonaat hûd en houten meubelelemminten. Kleurde vinylgrafiken op de panielen rinne út nei de rânen ta, sadat de pod opgiet yn syn omjouwing. Filtplaten oan de binnenkant absorbearje lûd. Iepenbiere sitplakken, stiene buro's en in grut prikboerd binne pleatst op de bûtenoerflakken. Seis swiere kastewielen en in ferburgen ynklapbere lûkstang meitsje it maklik om te ferpleatsen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Izer

Work Pod for Students Wurkstasjon is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Izer, in prestisjeuze erkenning foar goede ûntwerpen dy't foldogge oan de profesjonele en yndustriële easken dy't ferwachte wurde fan goed ûntwurpen skeppings. Izerwinners litte grutte feardigens, hege spesjalisaasje, deskundich begryp en kreatyf fermogen fan har makkers sjen. Fan Work Pod for Students Wurkstasjon wurdt ferwachte dat it in tige heech achte, bewûndere en dierbere skepping is dy't praktysk en ynnovatyf is. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Izer yntegrearret de bêste praktiken fan de sektor en hat feardige technyske skaaimerken ferbûn mei kennis en talint. Work Pod for Students Wurkstasjon wurdt respektearre foar syn yngeandens en is ûntwurpen om ferbetteringen fan de kwaliteit fan it libben te leverjen dy't helpe de wrâld ta in bettere plak te meitsjen.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: These pods are designed to provide a comfortable solo working environment in public spaces while minimizing their visual presence as much as possible.

With multiple pods produced, they can also be arranged in various ways to allow interaction between users in the different pods. In addition, there are public seats and standing desks incorporate in the out skin that give users more functional furniture, as well as a large pin-up board on the back side of the pod.
Dimensions & Packaging: 2000 mm x 1100 mm x 1950 mm
Tags: Workstation, Furniture Design, Interior design, polycarbonate, color, aluminum
Production Technology: The work pod itself is comprised of three separate components, the aluminum structure,a polycarbonate skin, and wood furniture elements. Colored vinyl graphics on the polycarbonate panels wrap around the structure and change in intensity responding to where users might be, and feathering out toward the edges to help the pod blend in with its surroundings. The overall effect is providing more privacy for the work areas while still allowing for various lighting conditions, in addition to the ambient and task lighting provided inside.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was designing a work pod that is semi-enclosed, but also doesn't feel tight nor too open. The use of colored translucent screens was a design solution to carefully balance those needs. In addition, because of the use of polycarbonate panels, the pod had to have some sound absorbing material, which lead to the extensive use of natural felt sheets and wood on the interior.
Research: Through observational studies and surveys, the designers worked on several 1:1 scale cardboard and plywood mockups that were built to resolve all the component dimensions in the workstation. Designers also conducted a comprehensive survey that questioned over 50 students and potential users within the college about what factors they consider when choosing a location to work and what the most important aspects of a work pod must be.
The full scale mock-ups were also used as part of the survey, giving survey respondents hands-on experience. The immediate user feedback gained was used to rapidly iterate on the design accordingly.
It was clear from the survey of 14 questions that the most vital issues needed to be addressed are acoustics and privacy related, as well as visual isolation.
Inspiration: This project is a direct response to a problem recognized in most open plan working studios, namely the lack of working stations that are relatively private, quiet and visually screened. The intention was to design a comfortable work pod that provides a serene working environment.
Project Duration: Project began in August 2018 and was completed December 2018
Operation Flow: The pod has a hidden foldable pull bar which allows easily moving the pod on its six heavy duty casters. Several pods could be positioned next to one another, allowing for various types of interactions between its users.
Team Members: Ammar Kalo
Eman Shafiq
Fatma Ibrahim
Heba Alhayek
Jawaher Al Muttari
Jumanah Rizk
Malaz Ibrahim
Marina Nasif
Moza Al Mehairi
Omaima Ansary
Prathyush Pradeep
Shahd Abdul Ghani
Yasmin Abdel Rehim
Yasmine Fahmy
Zenah Fadhil