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collaborative architecture Cathedrals of Inspiration & Retreats of Contemplation AJ/ The Crown Estate Future Office The open plan office is a compromise. It is compromise between an environment to work and think and an environment to communicate, collaborate and discuss. It reduces the space requirements, cost, and all equipment can be centralised, but it is a compromise. Mobile technology, project focused teams and varying working patterns are beginning to make this compromise redundant. We propose a dichotomy - Cathedrals of Inspiration and Retreats of Contemplation. Workers are more mobile, the sharing economy is thriving, and small companies want access to best facilities and ability to collaborate. Equally we require places that we can work alone or in small teams with high intensity and concentration. Cathedrals of Inspiration. (Based on ‘Charnel-House, Boullée’, 1795) Places to meet, test, collaborate, discuss and make. An expo, members club, social club, laboratory, lecture theatre, workshop all rolled into one. Promotes cross- disciplinary collaboration, attracts the best minds and creates a celebrated and renowned venue Retreats of Contemplation. (Based on ‘Office in a Small City’, Edward Hopper. 1953) A rooftop retreat or a cabin in the county these small quiet, well crafted spaces are for dedicated working; for a day, a week or a month.
