Upon the completion of Motional's workplace over 2 floors at Fusionopolis, Graphite Studio was appointed the exciting commission to design our client's lab and workshop at Science Park.

The unique brief was highly technical and detailed in sequencing the process of setting up a driverless vehicle, and also called for a flexible workspace that supports and enhances the company's collegial culture. Car- specific requirements include an open drive-in access, hardware and software workshops, a calibration environment and a car lift, whilst the 'office' side of the floor provides a social hub and pantry, meeting and collaboration spaces.

As the original site was a bare shell with no services, we created the workshop from scratch, including detailing the mechanical and cabling routes and structures. We designed a bright and light environment where the design was about 'the things you don't see'. In circumventing the site's high soffits and low beams, we designed a services structure integrating power, ventilation, and lighting in an aesthetic galvanised steel framework on the ceiling. On the office side, we created an architectural rhythm of up-lit canted ceilings, making full use of the high spatial volume whist effectively concealing the a/c ducts within it. The conference room was set up as a viewing gallery by having it located in the centre of the space, looking onto the car lab on one side and the collaboration area on the opposite.