Traditional office buildings had a boring reception area that was dead space.
On the back of cafe culture, co-working, collaborative and agile workspaces, there is a growing trend to revitalise building lobbies and make them more vibrant and energetic.
We have been working some developers who want to create a real buzz in their reception areas, some just open to a Starbucks operation and others a full co-working set up.
The biggest challenge is that all this is happening in an "unsecured/public" side.
On one hand we want to promote a welcoming environment where you can just walk in, sit down and start working / chatting.
On the other hand, we have a duty of care to keep everyone in these areas safe.
Recently, several high end jewellery and retail outlets have been raided by aggressive thieves on scooters/mopeds. Thieves have been known to ride down a street and snatch a handbag or mobile from someone talking on their phone.
More recently robbers have brazenly walked into a coffee shop and snatched a laptop from someone working away.
If it's so easy then the lobbies we are creating will eventually meet a similar fate.(I guess hotel lobbies, casinos and airport check in areas have the same problems - maybe I am worrying too much)
What ideas or suggestions do you have for spaces like this?
Jason.
