GA Smart Building delivers turnkey, high-end commercial office construction through large-scale prefabrication, and is now moving toward intelligent, sustainable buildings equipped with integrated smart sensors to drive energy efficiency and create a net positive impact.
As part of this initiative, I designed a meeting box product to complement GA’s open-plan office spaces. The challenge was to create a unit that visually blended with both new and existing GA buildings, integrated seamlessly with GA Smart Systems, and met strict EU standards for noise, air, and lighting performance.
Market research.
As one of the core designers on this project, I conducted market and user research to identify the key constraints that would guide the design and development of the meeting box.
Through this process, I determined three primary and secondary factors that would shape both user perception and the quality of the experience within GA office environments:
Primary
-
Size.
The internal footprint determines what types of furniture and systems can be integrated.
If the space is too small, it only supports single users for calls or focus work. If it’s too large, both individuals and small groups may hesitate to use it.
-
Air & Temperature.
Small enclosed rooms often become overheated and stale when occupied by multiple users.
Any meeting box design needed to manage air quality and temperature effectively for groups of varying sizes, both in short and extended use.
-
Noise.
In an open-plan office, even a single loud conversation from across the floor can be disruptive.
The meeting box needed to block external noise while containing internal sound, providing both a private space for calls and a refuge from distractions.
Secondary
-
Placement & Reservation.
Placing meeting boxes near core office zones improves coverage and makes them more useful for impromptu conversations or meetings.
A visually integrated booking or management system ensures users can quickly see availability without searching for an open box.
-
Tech Integration.
Crowding around a laptop or relying on a cellphone speaker isn’t ideal for calls or presentations.
The meeting box therefore needed integrated technology to support seamless video conferencing and digital collaboration.
-
Look & Feel.
With several competing products already on the market, the meeting box needed to stand out as the clear choice.
High-end materials were used to balance function with aesthetics, while maintaining sight-lines so users never felt enclosed.
During my time on the project, I conducted benchmark research, led GA R&D VOC tests, sourced sustainable material alternatives, tested usable floor space, and selected integrated technical components. I also collaborated with other designers to establish use patterns, define placement guidelines, and assist in developing final technical CAD drawings.
Although my internship ended before full production, I was able to review the final prototype with fully integrated systems and technology.
