Interview about Motivator Factory Office Building, winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2025
The design of the factory office emphasizes sustainability and a modern aesthetic. It utilizes natural energy sources and environmentally friendly materials for practical purposes. Curved shapes, inspired by the portability of lithium batteries, enhance the flow of the space. The color scheme is reflective of Kaohsiung's climate, aiming to inspire creativity. The office includes acoustic treatments for comfort and employs 3D modeling to ensure the smooth integration of features. Overall, this design shows that sustainable choices can create a productive and innovative work environment.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThese four conical discussion pods, each 3.5 meters high and 3.6 meters in diameter, are installed within the open office area. Featuring perforated designs and high-performance acoustic panels, they effectively reduce noise while creating semi-private spaces for communication. Serving as striking visual focal points, they break away from traditional partitions to enable more flexible and comfortable interactions.By minimizing the distance between meeting spaces and work areas, they enhance real-time discussions and cross-department collaboration, thereby stimulating employee creativity and engagement.
We translated the vibrant character of Kaohsiung’s sun-drenched climate and coastal urban charm into a color palette of sunset orange, lake blue, corporate yellow, and concrete gray. These selections not only reflect the local environment and cultural identity, but are also grounded in color psychology, with proven benefits for emotional well-being and mental performance.For instance, warm tones like orange and yellow are known to promote optimism, energy, and creative thinking, while cool tones like lake blue help reduce stress and enhance focus. Neutral tones like concrete gray act as a visual stabilizer, helping to minimize sensory fatigue and maintain long-term psychological comfort.We intentionally limited the use of vibrant accent colors to approximately 20% of the space, ensuring strong visual identity without overwhelming the senses. The remaining areas are grounded in calmer, more neutral tones, creating an environment that feels both energizing and composed.This balanced application of color — both emotionally supportive and visually intentional — helps cultivate a workplace where creativity, productivity, and well-being are equally valued and organically integrated.
Sustainable materials and modern aesthetics are not mutually exclusive—in fact, we believe they can complement and reinforce each other. However, in practice, achieving this balance requires careful planning and material adaptation.Green building materials, especially those certified in Taiwan, tend to emphasize general applicability and environmental performance. As a result, the majority of certified materials come in standard or neutral color palettes. Given this project’s need for a more specific and expressive color language aligned with the brand identity, we did encounter limitations during the material selection process. In cases where local material libraries could not meet our design intent, we sought certified or low-impact alternatives from international sources.In Taiwan’s green material certification system, materials are categorized as base materials, intermediate layers, or finish layers. When working with curved or expressive surfaces—where certified base materials often lack formability—we pivoted toward lighter, more pliable finish materials such as high-performance coatings or architectural films to achieve our design goals without compromising sustainability credentials.Most importantly, our interpretation of "dynamism" did not rely on resource-intensive forms or excessive ornamentation. Instead, we focused on spatial flow, flexible programming, and modular furniture systems. Many elements in the space—such as display units, partition walls, and seating—are mobile or reconfigurable, enabling the space to adapt to different needs over time. This approach supports both environmental responsibility and a modern, kinetic experience for the users.
The concept of lithium battery portability was translated into spatial language through the use of circular and radiating forms, which became a key strategy in both space planning and movement design. The circular geometry symbolizes energy dispersal, flexibility, and continuity—qualities inherent in battery technology.This conceptual foundation guided us to structure the layout around a series of central nodes and dynamic circulation paths. For example, the reception hall and exhibition areas adopt curved walls and radial zoning, subtly guiding visitors into the core of the space while reinforcing a sense of flow and forward movement. Curved volumes—such as phone booths, meeting pods, and acoustic wall elements—not only echo the shape of molecular structures but also create a more fluid and inclusive experience for users.By avoiding rigid partitions and instead utilizing soft boundaries and reconfigurable modules, the entire office encourages adaptability and intuitive navigation. In this way, the "circularity" of lithium battery design evolved into a spatial metaphor—one that supports openness, interaction, and operational efficiency.
Balancing forward-thinking spatial concepts with more conservative user habits was one of the key challenges in this project. While the leadership team had a strong desire for innovation, some of the end users were more accustomed to traditional layouts and work styles.When proposals were initially rejected, we chose not to push back immediately. Instead, we listened carefully to users' underlying concerns to understand their true needs. This allowed us to differentiate between surface-level resistance and deeper functional requirements. Through open dialogue, reference cases, and hands-on mock-ups, we helped users visualize and experience the potential of new spatial approaches in a tangible way.Rather than compromising innovation, this process allowed us to redefine innovation through empathy—meeting functional needs while subtly shifting mindsets. One year after occupancy, we often receive feedback from employees expressing how much they enjoy working in this new environment. For many, it has become a refreshing and inspiring experience that has expanded their expectations of what a workplace can be.
In the open office area of the project, we introduced four large acoustic cones, each measuring 3.6 meters in diameter and 3.5 meters in height. These semi-enclosed discussion pods serve as acoustic zones within the open workspace. Initially, we explored the use of solid cylinders to define the discussion areas. However, the mass and scale of such volumes felt visually heavy and overly dominant in the space. We therefore transitioned to conical forms, which reduce the footprint while creating a more dynamic and visually lightweight presence—aligning with the desired sense of fluidity and openness in the work environment.As the design evolved, we moved from linear frameworks to full surface enclosures in order to maximize acoustic coverage. Perforations were added to the surface panels, not only to reduce the overall weight but also to allow for partial visual transparency—achieving a balance between openness and privacy, while also enhancing acoustic absorption performance.During implementation, several technical challenges arose. Due to material size limitations, the cone surfaces had to be modularized. We turned this constraint into a design feature by developing an interlaced segmentation pattern that added visual rhythm while discreetly concealing the internal structural frame. Compounding the complexity, the inner and outer surfaces of each cone had differing curves and slopes, requiring precise coordination between layers. To address this, we utilized digital modeling and 3D spatial analysis to ensure accurate fabrication and installation.In the end, the cones function not only as high-performance acoustic solutions, but also as sculptural anchors within the space—demonstrating a refined balance between function, form, and technical resolution.
3D modeling technology has empowered us to simulate and analyze the intricate connections and visual relationships among complex geometric elements—such as curved walls, inverted trapezoidal aluminum columns, and conical pods—right from the earliest stages of the design process. By creating detailed virtual representations, we were able to explore innovative forms and spatial compositions without being hindered by traditional construction constraints. This freedom allowed creativity to flourish, enabling us to conceive bold, unconventional ideas that might have been dismissed otherwise.Furthermore, the highly accurate digital models served as a critical tool during the construction phase, facilitating precise prefabrication of components off-site and streamlining their assembly on-site. This digital-to-physical workflow not only minimized errors and rework but also significantly enhanced overall construction quality and efficiency.As a result, the integration of advanced 3D modeling technologies bridged the gap between visionary design and practical realization, ensuring that complex architectural visions could be confidently executed with reliability and precision.
We strategically positioned the auditorium, training rooms, and meeting spaces at the very core of the floor plan, deliberately emphasizing their symbolic and functional importance as the heart of knowledge exchange and communication within the organization. This central placement not only highlights their pivotal role in fostering collaboration and information sharing but also actively encourages interaction among employees, thereby strengthening corporate cohesion and a sense of community.Encircling this vibrant core are carefully planned open office areas, phone rooms, and quiet zones designed to accommodate a wide range of work styles and individual preferences. These surrounding spaces offer flexible options that support both collaborative teamwork and focused, independent work.By organizing the layout into this clear tripartite structure—centralized collaborative hubs enveloped by diverse, adaptable work zones—we establish a deliberate spatial rhythm that intuitively guides movement and activity throughout the floor. This thoughtful arrangement contributes to creating a more human-centered work environment, enhancing employee well-being, productivity, and overall operational efficiency.Ultimately, this design strategy balances openness and privacy, interaction and concentration, enabling the workspace to meet the evolving needs of a dynamic workforce while reinforcing the organization’s core values of knowledge sharing and connectedness.
This project places a strong emphasis on the seamless integration of local culture, ambitious sustainability goals, and innovative spatial experiences, collectively setting a new benchmark for industrial office environments. By thoughtfully incorporating elements that reflect the unique cultural identity of the region, the design fosters a deep sense of place and belonging for employees and visitors alike.Sustainability is woven throughout every aspect of the project, from the selection of environmentally responsible materials to energy-efficient systems and biophilic design principles that promote well-being. These efforts not only minimize the ecological footprint but also create healthier, more comfortable workspaces.In the post-pandemic era, where health and safety have become paramount concerns, this holistic approach that balances wellness, operational efficiency, and human-centric values is particularly relevant and impactful. The project demonstrates how industrial office spaces can evolve beyond purely functional settings into dynamic environments that support collaboration, creativity, and sustainability.Its success has the potential to inspire a broader reimagining of workplace design—not only across Taiwan but throughout other regions in Asia—encouraging the development of flexible, resilient, and environmentally conscious workspaces that respond to the changing needs of modern organizations and their people.
We translated the concepts of energy and passion into a distinctive spatial language that breathes life into the environment. This was achieved through boldly scaled color walls that command attention and evoke vitality, flowing curved forms that guide movement and soften the spatial experience, flexible training areas designed to accommodate diverse learning styles, and acoustically refined discussion pods that seamlessly blend functionality with refined design aesthetics.Each of these elements was thoughtfully crafted to represent a harmonious fusion of purposeful intent and creative expression, ensuring that the space is not only visually striking but also highly functional and responsive to user needs.Complementing this dynamic spatial composition is a strong and unwavering commitment to architectural and material sustainability. From the careful selection of environmentally responsible materials to the integration of energy-efficient systems and design strategies that minimize waste, the project demonstrates an holistic approach to sustainable design.This balance between conceptual clarity and executional excellence has resulted in a workspace that inspires its occupants while respecting ecological imperatives. The accolades and recognition the project has garnered are a testament to this successful synthesis of innovation, aesthetics, and responsibility, making such honors genuinely well-deserved.
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