Office

When Snøhetta was commissioned to design a new headquarters for Le Monde Group on a site that couldn't support a heavy structure at its center due to underground rail lines, the firm responded with a striking building that's defined by a large arch.

The rise of tall timber towers worldwide continues with Urban Agency's Dock Mill proposal for Dublin, Ireland. Assuming it goes ahead as planned, the building will be built on top of an existing mill on the city's waterfront.

Snøhetta has completed a remarkably energy-efficient office in Norway. Powerhouse Telemark is estimated to produce more energy than it will require over its entire lifespan, including its construction and its eventual demolition in decades to come.

Büro Ole Scheeren has never been content to design drab, boring office buildings and its latest project again breaks the mold. Named Shenzhen Wave, the building will be topped by a large bulging area that hosts a greenery-filled leisure space.

This Snøhetta-designed office already features greenery on its exterior, but over time the plants will continue to grow and envelop it. The building's grid-based energy use is minimized with a rainwater collection system and solar panels too.

MVRDV has been commissioned to transform a tired old factory in China into a mixed-use office building. Once complete, the If Factory will allow members of the public both a look inside and access to a new greenery-filled garden area on its roof.

Construction work has begun on a new mixed-use office building by British firm Foster + Partners. Named Icône, the project will host flexible workspaces and feature sustainable design elements including significant greenery inside.

Cobe has been commissioned to create a new design center for Chinese automotive juggernaut Geely. The building will include what Cobe calls a "Chamber of Secrets" that will enable Geely's designers to do their work away from prying eyes.

Construction recently began on a new three-building office campus in San Jose, California, that's designed by high-profile firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates. Named Platform 16, the project's overall form is said to shimmer in sunlight.

Rising to a sharp gleaming point in the City of London, the aptly-named Scalpel is another high-profile skyscraper by Kohn Pedersen Fox. The office building is a striking addition to the capital's skyline and rises to a height of 190 m (623 ft).

Zaha Hadid Architects has produced some of its most notable work in China lately. Having won a competition to design a new Shanghai headquarters that packs significant sustainable technology, this trend looks set to continue.

The AiT Smart One desk can be controlled via smartphone and offers a few well-considered bells and whistles, including a built-in air quality sensor that alerts the user when it’s time to crack a window.