'Startup Hall' is a multidisciplinary office built on the campus of the University of Washington. The large-scale work area was built in the university's previous law library, but has since been transformed to an open-concept office for start-ups.
SHED Architecture & Design was given the task of creating an open office in what was once a crowded library filled with walls and unwanted furniture. SHED's approach was to demolish any non-structural elements and expose the native concrete structure. The result was a modern open-concept office built to cultivate innovation and collaboration through a welcoming interior. Startup Hall takes advantage of a mix of open and private areas, communal meeting rooms and quiet phone booth areas. An abundance of chalkboard walls allows for impromptu meetings and brainstorm sessions to break out in various areas of the space.
Designated Start-Up Offices
'Startup Hall' in the University of Washington Fosters Entrepreneurs
Trend Themes
1. Open-concept Offices - Open-concept offices are disrupting traditional office spaces by promoting innovation and collaboration through a welcoming and flexible interior design.
2. Start-up Incubators - Start-up incubators like 'Startup Hall' provide a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to foster innovative ideas and receive guidance and resources.
3. Multidisciplinary Workspaces - Multidisciplinary workspaces, such as 'Startup Hall,' bring together individuals from various fields to encourage cross-pollination of ideas and disrupt traditional industry boundaries.
Industry Implications
1. Office Design - The office design industry has an opportunity to innovate by creating open-concept spaces that facilitate collaboration and support the needs of start-ups.
2. Higher Education - Higher education institutions can embrace the trend of creating start-up incubators on their campuses to provide resources and support for aspiring entrepreneurs.
3. Entrepreneurship Support - Industries focused on supporting entrepreneurship, such as mentorship programs and funding organizations, have the opportunity to collaborate with start-up incubators like 'Startup Hall' to provide valuable resources and guidance.