Uber HK: A Fusion of Function and Design

Lorène Faure and Kenny Kinugasa-Tsui's Innovative Workplace Design

The design's uniqueness lies in its ability to consolidate various small offices into a larger, 9,000sqft space in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. This consolidation was aimed at strengthening departmental connections and fostering a global brand culture within the local work environment. The office is divided into various workspaces, each equipped with privacy controls such as misty gradient glass partitions or curtains. These work clusters can be rearranged to match the constantly changing needs of the company.

The office features a collaborative bar island, stage seating, and a 20m long signature Bean table with integrated cushioned seats facing the city racecourse and sports grounds. The reception area reflects local urban life with vibrantly coloured tiled walls and floors, contrasted with handcrafted neon signage. A padded felt wrapped reception desk is reminiscent of luxurious car seating, and an intricate wall art by local artist Bao Ho envisions a floating city vessel, packed with Hong Kong landmarks, futuristic transports and lucky Feng Shui symbols for the company.

The design process was not without its challenges. Balancing the need for confidential work with the inclusive brand narrative was a significant hurdle. To maintain visual transparency across all main open spaces while ensuring privacy, the designers used glazed partitions to physically divide sensitive areas from the general open areas. The heart of the workplace is a cafe pantry, designed to support large social events, independent working, and informal meetings, reflecting the company's ethos of connecting people.

The concept of the 'vessel' was translated into a continuous blue coloured volume that wraps around the central core, housing various functions such as a welcoming space, meeting rooms, phone booths, private booths for personal works, printing rooms, storages, and a pantry. This project is a daring example of fusing local traditions for an international company, a testament to the designers' creativity and innovation.

The design was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.