The way that light is used in each project is always of primary importance to the practice. We are interested in modulating light in space by combing it, diffusing it, storing it, colouring it, reflecting it, dulling it and changing its speed.

YSC is a business psychology consultant firm that helps senior executives develop their personnel. The challenge we had was to resolve the conflict between the demand for privacy (between client and consultant) and the need for more teamwork and communication (between consultants).

The nature of the activities carried out by YSC require a relatively highly cellularised kind of accommodation. Fresh air and daylight are considered a priority in the client interview rooms, which are arranged around the perimeter of the building where there are windows. In the centre of the plan is a common room on each level surrounded by cloister like circulation so consultants, coming from private interviews, can mingle and learn from each other.

Using a highly coloured weave pattern on the glass we were able to attain a level of privacy whilst allowing a mix of natural and artificial light into these central and cellular spaces. Spaces were defined by a series of fixed and sliding screens. Open or closed they would either concentrate or dilute the feeling of privacy. We wanted the screens to fizz when they moved across one another, one pattern and colour against the next.

The surrounding spaces irradiate with the flickering colours. The stretched wavering lines on the glass makes the partitions appear more three dimensional, like a thicket of shadows, colour, reflections and movement.