COASToffice

The brief for the design of the MICROSOFT BRIEFING CENTER was to create a new interactive product presentation and event space that allows a high degree of flexibility for presentations and other uses. However, the client explicitly did not want a conventional shop concept to display and present its products. Communication should instead be achieved in interaction with Microsoft technology such as KINECT, X-BOX or SURFACE. The new concept should allow many different ways of communicating with customers, integrating a range of media into the design.

The color scheme of the rooms is strictly black and white. The aim of this monochrome design is to ensure a firm focus on media content, products and direct communication with customers/guests and visitors. A dynamic, technological, immaterial room which is brought to life by the constantly changing colors and content of the media as well as MICROSOFT's customers, staff and visitors.

The new MICROSOFT BRIEFING CENTER is located on the first floor of the office building of MICROSOFT Schweiz GmbH in Wallisellen. The front part of the Briefing Center contains the “PRODUCT LOUNGE”, at the rear there are two conference/presentation rooms of different sizes. A central, dynamically designed lounge/communication furniture unit defines and divides the “PRODUCT LOUNGE” into various zones and areas such as the “MICROSOFT KINECT Welcome Zone”, the “MICROSOFT SURFACE BAR” or other smaller lounges.

When entering the “MICROSOFT KINECT Welcome Zone” motion sensory technology allows the first interaction between the media screens and the customer/visitor. The “SURFACE” bar and other touch and motion sensory technologies facilitate a whole range of interaction and presentation possibilities. The design of this central bar/lounge element is based on the idea of seamlessly transitioning forms of communication; the “CLOUD” idea implemented in design as it were. It allows a change from a standing situation, a group presentation through to a seated product demonstration or 1:1 consultation. The flowing transition from a conversation/production presentation while standing to a hands-on product demonstration while seated is intended to give the user the possibility to respond individually to different customers, products, group size or form of presentation. This design idea is supported by the media and technologies integrated into the furniture and walls.

The black glass wall around the whole room integrates both media and practical functions (cloakroom/kitchenette/catering/storage space). The black glass wall is brought to life by reflections of the media. The graphic artwork on the glass walls works with the theme of reflection and absorption, of dissolving and compacting – spatially, content-wise and visually. This graphic design frames the whole area and on the glass partitions of the conference rooms also acts as a screen. The drapes round the room form a deliberate contrast to the otherwise hard technical surfaces. Two layers of drapes in different shades of gray and differing degrees of opaqueness offer the possibility to close off or open up the rooms to accommodate the needs of an event. In this way, the color, brightness and mood of the room can also be changed.

Brief
Interiordesign of Microsofts new interactive product- , conference - and eventspace

Design / Team
COASToffice architecture
Daniel Renggli / Enterprise Marketing Lead, Microsoft Schweiz GmbH
L2M3 Kommunikationsdesign, Stuttgart
RBS Group, Zürich

Products used
HI-MACS
natural acrylic stone

MICROSOFT GmbH
interactive Microsoft Technology
SURFACE , KINECT etc.

NORA
NORAMENT caoutchouc floor

SAMSUNG
mediahardware / touchsreens

XAL
luminaires