Application strategy
How we apply our core principles and the scales of implementation are dependent on each location and the nature of the site. Factors include the business units it serves and whether or not it’s receiving a full, partial or light touch design and construction approach.
Global versus local
Our core principles and approach remain consistent as we inspire the next generation of technology. The approach described in planning principles in terms of adjacencies among space types and general organization of the plan—as well as the space types themselves—should be more or less universal.
However, each location needs to identify unique local requirements to ensure that all users’ needs are met by providing a connection to the local community and the broader IBM workforce.
| Global rules | Local requirements |
|---|---|
| Planning principles and application of zones | Code requirements both local and national |
| Space types and ratios that vary by business unit but not necessarily across location | Unique cultural conditions that impact space types |
| Interior architecture approach to floors, ceilings, walls and lighting | Location of building, with some suburban campuses requiring different amenities than urban sites |
| Furniture functionality and approach | Local climate or environment that may impact mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), architecture, and space type requirements |
| Finish and palette approach | Procurement agreements that may govern furniture, fixtures and other equipment selections |
| Compliance with brand guidelines |
Construction implementation
In some instances, full implementation of the guidelines isn’t possible due to the nature of the site, the duration of the lease, if leased, or the site size.
New sites should deliver full implementation of the workplace guidelines as described on this site, including planning approach and principles, space types, interior architecture, furniture and finishes, and brand execution.
- New space within an existing site should deliver full implementation of the workplace guidelines as described on this site, including planning approach and principles, space types, interior architecture, furniture and finishes, and brand execution.
- Added space types should complement existing space types without redundancy, particularly community spaces.
- Partial renovations within existing sites may employ partial implementation of the workplace guidelines as described on this site, including planning approach and principles, space types, interior architecture, furniture and finishes, and brand execution.
- Full implementation of the planning approach and principles, as well as space types, may not be achievable, depending on the scale of the space.
- In some instances, a space will require a minor refresh. This refresh could be due to lease constraints, such as if limited time is remaining on the lease or there’s an overall short-lease duration, temporary spaces or other factors.
- In this instance, furniture, some finishes and branding should be implemented. Changes to existing architecture should be avoided to prevent unnecessary expense.
Scales of implementation
Typically, projects can be divided into three main categories in terms of size:
- Floor or partial floor, wherein IBM leases a space in a building or on a floor with other companies present
- Multiple floors or buildings, wherein IBM occupies a series of floors or is the sole occupant in a building, either leased or owned
- Campus, wherein IBM occupies multiple buildings in a campus-like setting
Floor or partial floor
- These spaces are typically secured at the elevator lobby where there’s a single point of entry for guests with multiple badged points of entry for IBM employees.
- At this scale, community spaces are typically centralized to one or two points on the floor, generally at entry points. They are typically buffered by large collaboration spaces that are shared across the floor. If there’s a need for a centralized individual zone, it should not be adjacent to community spaces due to a potential for disruption.
Multiple floors or buildings
- In a multi-floor scenario, there’s generally more centralization of community spaces, large meeting spaces and shared individual settings, such as a library or quiet zone, for example.
- In larger buildings with other tenants, it’s often beneficial to centralize these space types in the middle of the stack. For example, if IBM occupies floors 10–14, a central community space on the 12th floor helps improve access across the stack.
- Designers should strive to plan floors with consistency to improve way-finding. Floors should not, however, be cut and pasted.
- If IBM is the sole tenant, locate amenities on the ground floor to improve logistics, particularly if a Café is being incorporated.
Campus
- At a campus scale, there may be opportunities to dedicate entire floors or even buildings to amenities to remove those spaces from workplace floors and limit distractions.
- Even at a campus level, the primary entry point should be a welcome or community space.
