RSM – a global accounting, tax and consulting company – approached Lotus to provide a bespoke solution for their Perth office. The completed space is expertly designed and highly functional, featuring Opera Switch, incorporating Switchglass technology which delivers a fantastic level of flexibility across a range of applications.
Scope
The project area included a large room at RSM which is used both for meetings and as a collaborative work space. The room required both dividing and perimeter walls/doors, as well as a solution that allowed for both undisrupted views across the office and privacy when required. There were also high acoustic requirements for this space, given it is adjacent to an open lounge and visitor waiting area.
The Space
The RSM Perth office is very sleek and modern, with dark charcoal floors set against black decorative ceiling slats and lighting. The project space itself receives both natural and artificial light from big windows and downlights placed throughout the ceiling. Warm timber meeting tables and black office chairs were also features that we considered during the design of our customized solution.
The Solution
A key aspect of this solution was the ability for the project space to be both visually open or private, as RSM required. We introduced Switchglass technology to achieve this, allowing the glass panels in the perimeter doors to transition between transparent or opaque frosted glass at the push of a button. When in transparent mode, this technology allows for maximum light transfer from one space to another, ensuring that the office looks spacious and the window views can be enjoyed from any angle. In opaque mode, the glass panels provide privacy and enable a distraction free work environment when it’s required.
The perimeter wall of the space was custom-made for this project, integrating two of our products within the same remote stack wall. Lotus’ Operable Wall was used for the solid veneer panel with timber finish and our Opera Switch product provided the black bordered glass panels – which incorporated Switchglass technology. The use of timber and black tied into the other design features of the space, resulting in a wall solution that perfectly assimilated into the existing office.
Switchglass Facts
- Switchglass is a Certified Glass Processor
- SwitchGlass™ PDLC interlayer is manufactured in the USA by Polytronix since the 1980’s
- SwitchGlass™ is laminated with Saflex PVB, supplied by Solutia Europe
- Glass product is from Saint-Gobain Glass
- Switchglass has acquired 10 years intellectual, manufacturing property rights for Switchable Glass from HTG Switzerland
Glazing SwitchGlass™
SwitchGlass™ is suitable for glazing into a wide range of steel, timber, aluminium or UPVC frame systems
Project Details
Architects: MKDC
Builder: Opra Projects
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Products: Lotus Operable Walls and Opera Switch System incorporating Switchglass technology.