Offices, as a category of building, have probably faced more challenges and undergone more dramatic changes in the last few years than most other kinds of buildings. Increasing economic globalization, new information and communication technologies, and ecological considerations are all making demands on a branch of architecture for which for nearly a century had been marked by the construction norms and standards, and the requirements of office organization. These old solutions are, however, no longer viable for many modern companies, where flexibility and mobility determine the working day of a new generation of office nomads, and architecture is having to adapt.
With some 70 significant international examples taken from the last five years (including examples from Norman Foster, Frank O. Gehry, Thomas Herzog, Morphosis MVRDV, Renzo Piano, SOM), the authors and editors show how the new issues facing architects can be resolved. In addition to introductory texts there are also thematic contributions by experts in various disciplines on related topics including the new models of work organization, façade technology, climatic regulation, lighting etc. Similar to our enormously successful Floor Plan Atlas, this volume will be a crucial standard work in the design of offices.