William McDonough + Partners is thrilled to announce that its project for Plantronics’ Netherlands offices is a proud recipient of the 2018 German Design Award for Excellent Communications Design and Interior Architecture. Located at Park 20|20, the world’s first Cradle to Cradle® inspired development, master planned by William McDonough + Partners [WM+P], in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, the Soundscape Building, designed by WM+P, opened this past April.
Presented by the German Design Council, the award seeks to identify and present design trends, and pays tribute to leading-edge products and projects that are shifting the German and international design landscape.
Plantronics’ new offices directly reflect the company’s decades-long mission to create breakthroughs in seamless, clear communication across various workforces by utilizing new technologies. WM+P worked alongside Plantronics, Inc. and Gensler N30 to help bring the vision for the building to life by designing around the idea of a “flow line” — a distinctive element in all Plantronics products — to create an aesthetic that was both fully functional and user-oriented.
Designed as an “acoustic temple”, the building combines sound masking, water features, and nature-inspired elements that result in a layer of sounds that promote better working, collaborating, testing, and more. The space is the latest incarnation of Plantronics’ Smarter Working Vision, which shows how the use of these key elements can effectively enhance employee productivity and reduce the distractions of working in a large office.
Preference was placed on selecting healthy, safe materials inside and out. As with all Park 20|20 buildings, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ products and materials were specified wherever possible.
Learn more about this project here.
