Work Pod for Students 工作站 by Ammar Kalo is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 A' Design Award 鐵獎 in 室內空間及展覽設計 Competition Category.

鐵室內· 2020

Work Pod for Students 工作站

by Ammar Kalo

Client: CAAD Design Build Initiative

A' Design Award 鐵獎 Winner in 室內 Category

12,804

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #94008

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Work Pod for Students 工作站

學生工作艙係一款專為開放式工作室同其他公共空間而設計嘅工作站。呢個艙體為單獨工作提供咗一個安靜且半私密嘅空間。結構採用鋁材製造，配以聚碳酸酯外殼同木製傢俬部件。面板上嘅彩色乙烯基圖案向邊緣漸變暈染，令個艙體可以融入周圍環境。內部嘅氈布板可以吸音。外部表面設有公共座位、企立式書枱同一塊大型釘板。六個重型腳輪同隱藏式摺疊拉桿方便移動。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 鐵獎

Work Pod for Students 工作站是 A' Design Award 鐵獎得主，這是授予滿足人們對設計精良的創作所期待的專業與工業要求的優良設計的聲望認可。鐵獎得主展現出其創作者的高超技藝、高度專業化、專家級的理解力和創造能力。預計Work Pod for Students 工作站將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的創作，既實用又創新。這件贏得 A' Design Award 鐵獎的設計整合了行業最佳實踐，並擁有與專業知識和才華相結合的稱職技術特性。Work Pod for Students 工作站因其嚴謹而受到尊重，旨在提供有助於讓世界變得更美好的生活品質改善。

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