A Serious Playpen

ASB BANK MULTI-USE CENTRE

Auckland, New Zealand Client Dominion Funds Ltd.

Architect JASMAX, Auckland, New Zealand

Building Type Single-tenant office building

Photo by Kim Christensen

This New Zealand project was designed to foster greater communication among a bank's call-center and information-systems employees. An open layout spreads businesses over five zones on three floors. A landscaped central "park," cafe, minigolf green, TV rooms, and barbecue area draw people together. One hint that this workplace-as-playpen works: Interdepartmental e-mails dropped, a sign people may be talking more.