THE CREATIVE PROCESS
We are in the digital age. The digital revolution continues to spur new industries and businesses that require physical accomodation. Trustasia was one of the most challenging projects in terms of giving form to a new activity and in bringing out the silent and intangible processes of cyberspace for all to see. It is a secure hub that offers trust services to businesses and governments at the digital level through the Internet.

We were briefed on the layers of physical security required to protect the servers and the room where digital 'KEYS" are created … and we had tremendous fun with TrustAsia's senior management on the creation of those layers, spaces and security. Throughout this four storey building, every space had to tell a story. As one progresses through from one "secure" space into the next and from one floor onto the next, the story of a secure facility has to unfold…..from the entrance gate to the KEY CEREMONY ROOM!

This is the original unedited text of an e-mail sent to Seth Jutan, CEO on 13.8.02 describing our design approach to each main space :

Concept Statement
Reception and Boardroom - The big idea here is the notion of a secure box. I turned the idea of the solid box inside out and place a perforated metal box, suspended in mid-air within a glass box. With correct lighting through the perforations, this two layered box will glow! I am also taking the box full height to the ceiling - A - there will be no dust trap, B- the spatial experience would be grander. The tour could also end here. (We did try the solid box first - it was just too heavy). The idea of being able to flow out into the admin. area is out. with this latest concept the integrity of the box has to be maintained round the corner. On hindsight it is better to only have one entrance into the BR from the waiting area. It will allow training functions to operate independently of a visit.

The Training Rooms Area
I propose to use a sinusoidal ceiling, made of veneered plywood across the whole rear block of space. This ceiling will stretch across the width of the building to create the impression of a very large space. Walls within this area should be in plain glass sheets. Large stretches of fabric panels can be mounted on the walls for colour and sound absorption.

The Key Ceremony Room
As per our last meeting the concept of this has not changed. Here, we addd an ante-room visible to the call centre and treat the outside wall of the KCR like a Fort Knox. Inside a softer curvy layer takes over. Image pending.

The Top Management Organisation
Level 4 is in serious need of "image" in a sophisticated and contemporary way, so here I propose to remodel the glass wall and reshape the ceiling so that there is height internally. Most rooms will now have an asymetrically curved ceiling in plasterboard descending onto an inclined wall. Uplighting the curved ceiling will add ambience. (Uplighting a flat ceiling does very little) You should have a wood floor on this level for that clean tech-savvy image whilst adding warmth. Furniture in steel and glass. Chairs in mid-back black leather.

Staircase
Concept last week applies. Images pending. Apart from the ceiling a smooth verticle plane connecting all floors could bring out the notion that it is not just a walk through space.