The colour journey of Workshop17 Les Fascines by Nisha van der Hoven
Discover the unique universe of Workshop17 Les Fascines through its savvy use of colours
Nisha van der Hoven is the brilliant Senior Architect and curator who creates the signature design of each Workshop17 space. Drawing inspiration from various aspects of Mauritian culture, she curated Workshop17 Les Fascines. With the help of local artists, she chose colour as the central attraction to create movement, and demarcate moods and spaces. Discover this fascinating workspace, and the woman behind it.
Meet Nisha van der Hoven
Through Hoven, her practice based in Johannesburg, the creative director for renowned South-African workspace provider, Workshop17, applies her unique approach to design shared spaces. What motivates her?
Striking the perfect balance between originality, function and purpose
Creating flexible platforms that effectively support various modes of working in this fast-paced world, whilst fostering genuine, meaningful interactions
Shifting established paradigms that limit space narratives
Boldly re-defining her mission as a senior architect, she states:
“We need to shift from siloed systems to enable a more circular and inclusive approach to design. My role as an experimental researcher and curator is to learn through the process of making. Recent projects for Workshop17 including Les Fascines, Mauritius, Newlands Cricket Grounds, Cape Town, The Bank and Firestation in Johannesburg allowed me to further this holistic approach that evolves symbiotically with emerging work patterns”.
Workshop17 Les Fascines: A colour Journey across Mauritius
The colour story of Workshop17 seems to tell a tale of discovery and love. More specifically, that of designer Nisha Van der Hoven’s wonderment at Mauritian natural landmarks:
Timeless white and charcoal inspired by the Tamarin Salt Pans offer quasi-cleansing or transitional tones
Earthy red & brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow inspired by the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark provide a grounding feel
Brilliant blues and punchy corals inspired by the Grand Baie fish market radiate energy
Relaxing greens that evoke sugarcane fields soothe the eyes and bring back nature into the space
Golden, sandy tones with warm lighting act as a recurring theme throughout these unique ambiances
There lies the designer’s mastery: bringing together these seemingly opposite colour stories together, creating vibrant micro-universes across the working, meeting and recreational spaces. Together, they instil a sense of familiarity, with the comfort of being close to home in this novel work environment.
Welcome to this actual workshop at Les Fascines… A place where innovation and creative process meet, distinct from the traditional notion of “square” office spaces.
Dive into the details of the stimulating universe of Workshop17 Les Fascines!
How does colour singlehandedly achieve such distinct moods? It has the power to influence and move energy. Studies show that colour not only helps to unify a space but also influences our mood and perception of that space. Whereas warm tones can improve dynamism and encourage movement and motivation, cool tones instil calm, boost recuperation and lower stress. Savvy use of these palettes therefore create “mood” boundaries as they shape the floorplate of Workshop17 Les Fascines.
The arrival lobby
Upon your entrance, a bold mural welcomes you. This sensational, colourful work of art by Artist Joanna Golabek, Muralist Kewin Kotadoo and Arts and Culture Manager Mathieu Pigeot animates the multi-storey atrium. This energizing fresco initiates the colour journey across the workspace.
The work Café
As an extension of the arrival lobby, it prolongs the material and colour palette. Neutral and warm, earthy shades of ash timber and natural granite form a canvas, allowing the bold colour accents found along walls of the adjacent meeting rooms to stand out.
The work zones
These open-plan workspaces emulate a park-like setting with lush, soothing greenery. The soft curves of the joinery sculpt the generous interior spaces, combined with the shade of foliage, provide members with priceless privacy.
The break area
Rich burgundy tones are beautifully offset by ash timber and stone tops reflected in the handmade tiles, to showcase the vibrancy and cosy feeling of warm social encounters.
Meeting room
Colour blocking - featuring an array of tones such as welcoming terracottas - creates a cohesive design, and unique identity for each meeting room at Les Fascines.
Private offices
A neutral, yet warm colour palette, complemented by natural ash timber and steel furniture pieces, instil a sense of balance and freedom for team members, as they calmy check their to-do list. Ergonomic task chairs remind them that comfort is the prime focus of the Workshop17 furniture range.
As colours meet and balance each other, energy flows harmoniously in this place which fosters bright ideas and promising collaborations.
Colour you intrigued? Book your tour at Workshop17 Les Fascines now.
