SCHLUMBERGER
Trained To Succeed

A beautiful interior is without value unless it is a functional environment. The relationship between space planning and productivity has been proven. Good design means good business, as well as personal comfort and well being.
International Interior Design Association ‘Good Design Makes the Difference”.

With the Asian financial crisis has come a reexamination of space and rental needs, Schlumberger contracted CDA early on for an assessment of their space requirements to “right size” them into their tenancy. By using Schlumberger’s existing staff count, projections for growth and establishing corporate space guidelines based on industry standards, CDA was able to calculate actual area requirements and come up with a phased strategy to implement it. CDA’s space planning expertise allowed Sclumberger not only to realize a more efficient space, but also one that reorganized their business units more effectively, saving on both rental costs and on inter-departmental inefficiencies.

As the difficulty in any large phased renovation project is working around a business that can not be interrupted and coordinating the reuse of existing furniture and materials CDA provided not just space planning, and design but also the project management. By coordinating all activities, Schlumberger was relieved of much of the responsibility yet, still retained the degree of control required to make all key decisions with our assistance. But through early planning with both Schlumberger and GGS/Vinoti, CDA’s project manager, Diana Bela, was able to avoid the costly mistakes or downtime that could have negatively affected Schlumberger’s profitability. Working within the time constraints was not as much of a problem as it could have been due to the commitment on the entire team and very open and clear lines of communication within the project organization.

CDA’s design concept was to express both the natural side of the oil industry and the personal side of Shlumberger. As the leader in the oil services industry Schlumberer distinguishes itself by being on the cutting edge of technology. This technology however is useless without the natural resources to extract or the personnel resources to implement this technology. The design of Schlumberger’s reception area and training facility allowed CDA the opportunity to express these principles through material and graphic images.

The grey of the Schlumberger office is punctuated with color through the strategic use of the corporate color blue. Color is not spread throughout this contemporary interior, rather it is compressed achieving dynamic and effortlessly interesting office. The rustic slate floor recalls the earth and seas from where the resources come, interchangeable message boards illustrate the diversified personnel and product lines the company offers and overhead stainless steel tension wires represent the lines of technology and equipment particular to Schlumberger. The training center itself houses state-of-the-art equipment and a facility second to none in the region. Serviced by a full-fledged café, clients as well as the students can relax and enjoy the design on their breaks between classes.