The fabric of real-time communication on the web is Skype’s mission. This mission required a work place wherein employees and visitors could come together in an open, collaborative environment facilitating communication. This open environment and desire to maintain high quality communications required that great attention be given to the acoustic environment.
The space reflects Skype’s spirit of innovation in a highly functional, yet creative workplace designed to encourage interaction and spontaneity, as well as meet specific acoustic requirements in support of their extensive use of AV.
Working closely SKYPE facilities group (led by Dena Quinn) and Project Architect Seth Hanley, RLS provided innovative acoustic designs that incorporate Seth’s vision of a variety of environments facilitating different interactions. The project is totally open with middle regions allocated for collaboration and group activities. “Collaboration Zones” (meeting rooms, coffee kiosks, white board areas) are centered along main access spines on each level encouraging staff to literally “meet in the middle.” The building perimeter was “zoned” for concentration spaces benefitting from natural light and lower noise levels, with quiet areas intersperse to afford “contemplation space.”
The project is registered for and seeking LEED Silver certification.