'Dynamic Sustainability' defines M Moser Associates' new Hong Kong office

Leading workplace design-engineering-construction firm M Moser Associates recently turned its expertise inward to tackle a cutting-edge redesign of its Hong Kong office.

Hong Kong occupies a special place in the heart of M Moser, the company having been founded in the territory in 1981. With subsequent years of expansion causing the firm to outgrow its original 10000 sq-ft Quarry Bay premises, it became imperative to reshape the workspace. But M Moser's goals extended far beyond the basic needs of creating more space and flexibility. The firm's new office would create an 'architecture of collaboration' that would spur brainstorming. It would also serve as a 'shop window' for everything from sustainable design to the seamless integration of state-of-the-art technology.

As project leader Karen Wong recounts, the design proceeded in typical M Moser fashion, evolving through a process of open client-designer collaboration. With M Moser being its own 'client', however, the dynamic was perhaps even more intensive than usual. "The project was bound to arouse a great deal of passionate interest, because of course it evolved reshaping our own 'home',"says Wong.

The space that emerged is a bright, spacious open-plan which usefully doubles the previous number of meeting rooms and even includes a strikingly large, informal 'break-out' space encompassing the reception area, lounge, library and staff cafe. The office beyond is defined by team-focused 'islands' with high-tech visualisation/communication tools such as smartboards and eBeam arrayed within easy reach of every workstation.

"The 'collaborative' aspects of this design are really satisfying. Since the office was completed, we've seen how people gravitate toward the break-out areas and the central 'island' table and use them as meeting points. It's had a positive effect on our office culture," Wong remarks.

Thanks to the daylight suffusing through the space, artificial lighting - and the attendant energy bills - could be kept to a minimum. In the interests of sustainability and staff well-being, existing fittings and furnishings were reused to the maximum extent possible, while new items were selected with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions very much in mind. The office atmosphere was further improved by the addition of a CO2 sensor to constantly optimise fresh airflow. These and other measures have earned the design a Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Quality. LEED certification is currently pending.

"To a wide spectrum of office-based businesses, the new M Moser office stands as an example of how progressive levels of sustainability, flexibility and integrated technology can be introduced into even decades-old buildings," says John Sellery, Group Managing Director M Moser Associates.

"The rewards in terms of staff well-being, productivity and efficiency speak for themselves."