European office buildings—Office building design and national context

Author: (Dutch) Vermeer, translated by Li Chunqing and others
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Features: Office buildings are the symbols of the global knowledge economy today. They dominate contemporary cities and accommodate more than half of the working population. However, we still know little about the various influences that shape office buildings. Why have office buildings evolved into their current state? This book clearly explains that office building design is not just a transformation of technical and functional requirements. It conducts a comparative study of office building designs in five European countries, demonstrating that local urban context, market conditions, labor-management relations, cultural factors, and regulatory norms all have a significant impact on office buildings. The book discusses key issues in office building design, ranging from virtual offices to high-rise buildings. It features more than 40 selected examples from five countries—Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands. For international architects and owners seeking to design successful office buildings, this book also serves as a guide.