Press View: “Green Architecture for a Sustainable Future” presents our project where lighting has been designed for well-being in a bioclimatic co-working space building

kobi lighting studio imagined well-being lighting in the midst of Covid for a co-working space located in a bioclimatic building

Since the beginning, kobi has made it its mission to improve people’s well-being through light. This vision guided us in particular for our lighting services of the Dreamplex offices project, a project that has been selected to appear in the book “Green Architecture for a Sustainable Future” by Cayetano Cardélus Vidal.

The Dreamplex project is located in Vietnam, a developing country where a talented and ambitious new generation constantly devotes their time and energy to working dynamically and wholeheartedly. Many Saigonese who live in the biggest city of Vietnam have switched their lifestyle to take on more responsibility, thus they dedicate less time for self-care. Aware of this phenomenon, which may have been amplified by the Covid-19 crisis, kobi wanted to provide solutions to these modern-day office workers.

In such a fast-paced working environment that is Saigon and in the heart of the Covid health crisis which has disrupted work habits around the world, taking care of the physical and mental health of hard workers seemed more important than ever. This prompted lighting studio kobi’s quest, alongside Dreamplex architects and investors, to design and build an “office of the future”.

kobi’s solution for lighting always first starts with a clear vision in which we think about the “why” and the “how” behind each placement or use of light. True to our frugalist approach, the lights that illuminate space, people and greenery all have a specific purpose in our meticulous planning. Such efforts led to big accomplishments as we were able to meet the WELL Standards in Lighting designed for Dreamplex.
These efforts led to great accomplishments as we were able to meet the WELL lighting standards designed for Dreamplex. As a result the project has become a workplace where light, nature and people form a harmonious relationship that makes every day at work more relaxing, productive and meaningful.

Written by an experienced architect, the book features 30 selected international architects that pave the way for environmental sustainability with respect to both nature and society, and Dreamplex is one of the noticeable cases.

// The content below are English and French versions taken directly from the original book “Green Architecture for a Sustainable Future” by Cayetano Cardélus Vidal //

Dreamplex in “Green Architecture for a Sustainable Future” – English Version

The aim of the project was to design the office building of the future, offering flexible working conditions and a strong connection to nature that promote well-being at work. The aim was also to reduce the energy consumption of the “solar oven” that constituted the existing building and thus improve the indoor thermal comfort.

After studying the local climatic conditions, the glass façade on the ground floor was removed in order to create common areas open to the garden and natural cross ventilation. Similarly, double ventilation generated by a bamboo curtain superimposed on the façade and solar shading over the windows keeps the rear façade cool. This simple bioclimatic solution minimized air-conditioning consumption and generated optimal comfort among users.

The choice of low carbon materials and, as much as possible, local and biobased materials such as bamboo for the façade, lime plaster for the interior walls and rattan for the furniture, avoiding the use of chemicals and thus obtaining adequate air quality.

This innovative project is a successful approach in terms of sustainable renovation adapted to tropical conditions.

The technical solutions associated with the aesthetic choices of this office building provide a fine example of contemporary Vietnamese tropical architecture.

Dreamplex in “Green Architecture for a Sustainable Future” – French Version

L’objectif du projet était de concevoir l’immeuble de bureaux du futur, offrant des conditions de travail flexibles et un lien fort avec la nature qui favorisent le bien-être au travail. L’objectif était également de réduire la consommation d’énergie du bâtiment existant ou «four solaire» et d’améliorer le confort thermique intérieur.

Après avoir étudié les conditions climatiques locales, la façade vitrée du rez-de-chaussée a été retirée pour obtenir des espaces communs ouverts sur le jardin et une ventilation transversale naturelle. De même, la double-façade ventilée en bambou ainsi que les protections solaires au niveau des fenêtres permettent de conserver la façade principale fraîche. Cette solution bioclimatique simple a permis de réduire la consommation de climatisation et de générer un confort optimal pour les utilisateurs.

La sélection des matériaux bas carbone et, autant que possible, locaux et biosourcés, tels que le bambou pour la façade, les enduits à la chaux pour les murs intérieurs et le rotin pour le mobilier, évitant ainsi l’utilisation de produits chimiques et permettant d’obtenir une bonne qualité d’air.

Ce projet innovant est une approche réussie en termes de rénovation réussie en termes de rénovation durable adaptée aux conditions tropicales.

Les solutions techniques associées aux choix esthétiques de ce bâtiment de bureaux en font un bel exemple d’architecture tropicale vietnamienne contemporaine.

Client:  Dreamplex

Interior Designer & Architect: T3 Architects

Collaboration: Harmonie (MEP design)

Energy Efficiency:  Artelia Group

Photographer: OKI Hiroyuki (DeconPhotoStudio)

Lighting Designer & Consultant: kobi lighting studio

Scope of lighting design:  lighting concept | lighting design development | lighting consultancy for WELL standards | lighting authorship supervision

To learn more about kobi’s lighting approach in designing a Dreamflex co-working space that meets the WELL Standards for Light, visit our portfolio here.