Nest: A Unique Office Design Inspired by Nature

Transforming Taipei's Corporate Headquarters into a Harmonious Nest

The inspiration for the design came from the Chinese name of the company, where "Hsiang" means "Flight" and "Ting" means "Stability". The concept of "Nest" was conceived to reflect these spatial semantics, symbolizing the headquarter as a "Home" and a "Nesting Place", while also mirroring the organizational discipline of migrating birds, which aligns with the corporate culture.

One of the standout features of the design is the installation artwork at the reception area, known as "Nest". Made from recycled stainless steel tubes, this artistic creation extends the semantics of natural elements such as wood, forest, stone, and snow. It serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental sustainability and the coexistence of industrialization and nature. Additionally, the Nest sculpture at the corporate entrance correlates with a world map made up of English texts, symbolizing unity, love, and teamwork in joint global ambitions.

The realization of the design involved the use of various materials, including marble, stainless steel tubes, spray-painted glass, timber veneer, mirrors, and wallpaper. These elements were carefully selected and combined to create a visually striking and functional space.

The project took place in a commercial building in Taipei, Taiwan, with an internal area of 460 square meters. The building's light-steel construction space with large column volumes and beam structures required a modern design and renovation to embody the corporate spirit and create a contemporary office space.

The design team, led by Tzu-Chi Su and Yi-Jen Chen, successfully transformed the cylindrical structure of the building into a tree-shaped element, serving as a centerpiece that connects different areas of the interior space. Linen strings were used to wrap other columns, creating a sense of continuity and functionality. The design also incorporated an open-planning layout for the main working area, promoting interaction and collaboration among employees.

The "Nest" design project was completed in August 2018 in Taipei City. Throughout the process, extensive research was conducted to ensure that the design theme of "Nest" was consistently reflected in every aspect of the space. From the use of natural elements in the furniture and lighting fixtures to the integration of the company's fabric products in the display areas, every detail was carefully considered to create a cohesive and inspiring environment.

The most challenging aspect of the design process was the creation of the installation artwork at the reception area. The interweaving of stainless steel tubing of various lengths, combined with lighting and angles of refraction, required meticulous attention to detail to achieve the desired visual impact.

With its unique blend of art, nature, and functionality, the "Nest" office design stands out as a remarkable example of innovative and sustainable architecture. This project was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2019, recognizing its well-designed, practical, and innovative characteristics that contribute to a better world.