The TreexOffice is a new concept that was launched in Hackney's Hoxton Square. The co-working space was brought to the London borough by the Park Hack project, which is led by Groundwork London, Artsadmin, and the Hackney Council, to test new innovative models that are sustainable and enhance public open spaces.
TreexOffice was created by Natalie Jeremijenko in collaboration with artists Shuster + Moseley, architects Tate Harmer, and briefing architects Gensler.
The creative pop-up office is built around a tree and brings one of the most unique office spaces to London. The main structure was created by engineers Price & Myers and is made up of compressed paper with see-through plastic and translucent polycarbonate for the outer walls—to blur the boundary between office and nature. A transparent roof allows sunlight to flow through the space.
The office allows people who work there to connect and give back to nature. The hire-able space supports the local environment and income from renting out the TreexOffice is reinvested into Hackney's parks and green spaces.
“Developing the Hoxton TreexOffice has been an amazing opportunity to create a new office concept, changing the way we work in the city," said Rory Harmer of Tate Harmer. "The design highlights the need to improve and utilise our urban green spaces in new and fun ways for everyone to enjoy."
There are eight workspaces in the TreexOffice taht are available for use by businesses, creative workers, and community groups over the course of seven months. Inside, the pop-up office has a power supply and WiFi. Additionally, the space has the capability to host small meetings or intimate events. Eight individual workspaces are also available for those who want to spend time in the TreexOffice. Community groups can use the TreexOffice for free on the weekends.
There is an online booking system that can be used to rent the space.
The TreexOffice was also featured in the London Festival of Architecture throughout the month of June.
Related Stories
| Feb 14, 2011
More companies willing to pay extra for green office space
New CoreNet Global/Jones Lang LaSalle survey shows real estate executives forging green strategies that balance environmental, financial and workforce issues.
| Feb 11, 2011
RS Means Cost Comparison Chart: Office Buildings
This month's RS Means Cost Comparison Chart focuses on office building construction.
| Feb 11, 2011
Kentucky’s first green adaptive reuse project earns Platinum
(FER) studio, Inglewood, Calif., converted a 115-year-old former dry goods store in Louisville, Ky., into a 10,175-sf mixed-use commercial building earned LEED Platinum and holds the distinction of being the state’s first adaptive reuse project to earn any LEED rating. The facility, located in the East Market District, houses a gallery, event space, offices, conference space, and a restaurant. Sustainable elements that helped the building reach its top LEED rating include xeriscaping, a green roof, rainwater collection and reuse, 12 geothermal wells, 81 solar panels, a 1,100-gallon ice storage system (off-grid energy efficiency is 68%) and the reuse and recycling of construction materials. Local firm Peters Construction served as GC.
| Feb 11, 2011
Chicago architecture firm planning one of China’s tallest towers
Chicago-based Goettsch Partners was commissioned by developer Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. Ltd. to design a new 294,570-sm mixed-use tower in Tianjin, China. The Tianjin R&F Guangdong Tower will be located within the city’s newly planned business district, and at 439 meters it will be one of China’s tallest buildings. The massive complex will feature 134,900 sm of Class A office space, a 400-key, five-star hotel, 55 condominiums, and 8,550 sm of retail space. The architects are designing the tower with multi-story atriums and a high-performance curtain wall to bring daylight deep into the building, thereby creating deeper lease spans. The project is currently finishing design.
| Jan 21, 2011
Manufacturing plant transformed into LEED Platinum Clif Bar headquarters
Clif Bar & Co.’s new 115,000-sf headquarters in Emeryville, Calif., is one of the first buildings in the state to meet the 2008 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards. The structure has the largest smart solar array in North America, which will provide nearly all of its electrical energy needs.
| Jan 19, 2011
Baltimore mixed-use development combines working, living, and shopping
The Shoppes at McHenry Row, a $117 million mixed-use complex developed by 28 Walker Associates for downtown Baltimore, will include 65,000 sf of office space, 250 apartments, and two parking garages. The 48,000 sf of main street retail space currently is 65% occupied, with space for small shops and a restaurant remaining.
| Jan 7, 2011
Mixed-Use on Steroids
Mixed-use development has been one of the few bright spots in real estate in the last few years. Successful mixed-use projects are almost always located in dense urban or suburban areas, usually close to public transportation. It’s a sign of the times that the residential component tends to be rental rather than for-sale.
| Jan 4, 2011
An official bargain, White House loses $79 million in property value
One of the most famous office buildings in the world—and the official the residence of the President of the United States—is now worth only $251.6 million. At the top of the housing boom, the 132-room complex was valued at $331.5 million (still sounds like a bargain), according to Zillow, the online real estate marketplace. That reflects a decline in property value of about 24%.
| Jan 4, 2011
Grubb & Ellis predicts commercial real estate recovery
Grubb & Ellis Company, a leading real estate services and investment firm, released its 2011 Real Estate Forecast, which foresees the start of a slow recovery in the leasing market for all property types in the coming year.
