FUEL STATION

CORPORATE OFFICES & DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

OVERVIEW

Drinks and food prep near where you work.


The fuel station is a more open and friendly version of the typical break room that encourages chance encounters and conversation. Water, coffee, and tea are provided along with space to store and heat personal food items. These spaces include booths or seating to create community and provide a place to eat.


Design Goals

  • Locate in high traffic area, hub or secure workplace. Consider separating space from adjacent work areas if cooking fragrant foods is allowed. Consider travel distances to fuel stations for people with mobility challenges.
  • There are two strategies - a combination may be appropriate.​​​​​​​
  1. Place the fuel station in the hub to consolidate energy into one space, with small stations for water (and maybe coffee and tea) in the secure workplace. This is typical for a smaller site.
  2. Place the fuel station in a secure workplace, providing building residents a place where they can connect with their team, rather than in a busy hub shared with all employees and visitors. This can add convenience to a large site.

Jerry Rice, PHK


Key Components

Download PDF and BIM files below


Download Drawings BIM Folder
  1. Casework for sink, appliances, and trash/recycling
  2. Seating (optional)
  3. Booths and/or banquettes (optional)
  4. Branding opportunity



Area:  200 SF (19 SM)

Size: Varies

Capacity: Varies


Branding

These informal spaces serve a very specific and generally transitional purpose, however scale and function can vary. In many cases, branding will be limited to color, furniture and lighting choices that are made with sensitivity to the workplace branding concept. Occasionally, a greater level of investment is warranted. In these cases, custom artwork and installations can be implemented that support the central brand concept (e.g., athlete namesake, local sport culture, local Nike engagement and activations).


Cost guardrail for brand investment: Medium level


REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS

  • Clearances
    • 48" (120cm) clear path between table edges and walls where chairs will be placed
    • Minimum clear floor space of 36" width x 60" depth (91.5cm x 15.3cm) in front of all appliances and sinks
    • In all other areas, a circulation width of 36" (91.5cm). May be reduced to 32" (81.5cm) for lengths not exceeding 48" (120cm)
    • Furniture is not blocking the path of travel for people with mobility devices or people with low vision
    • Note: Appliances include refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, water dispenser, etc.
    • Provide a clear floor space of 36" width x 60" depth (91.5cm x 152.5cm) in front of all appliances
    • Provide appliances controls that are within easy reach, between 12"-48" (38cm-120cm). This includes: refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, water dispenser, etc.
    • Consider clearances and reach for someone in a wheelchair, ease of use, clear signage for someone with low vision, etc.
  • Finishes

    Walls

    • Wall type 7: gypsum wall to deck
    • Paint with rubber base (or equivalent) or exposed structural material
    • Backsplash: Full-height tile. From time to time, this becomes a custom brand moment, with the brand budget covering the additional cost
    • Use finishes that reduce reverberance

    Floors

    • Concrete or cleanable flooring for wet locations
    • Avoid high gloss/reflective floor surfaces, which can cause glare and create optical confusion  

    Ceiling 

    • Open with acoustic treatment, gypsum or ACT (or equivalent)
  • Doors
    • Size: 36” (92cm) min. width, openings 32” (82cm) min. width
  • Furnishings

    Furniture


    Seating is not required. If included:

    • Use durable, cleanable materials appropriate for the high use food area
    • Counter with tall stools should not be the only option
    • Seating should be comfortable for all body sizes and types
    • Layout: Wheelchair users should have a seating position so they are out of the circulation path; avoid layouts where furniture is likely to be moved to block circulation or create a tripping hazard for people with low/no vision
    • No booths or seating areas should be on platforms that exclude people with mobility devices

    Window Coverings

    • Roller shades: Manually operable, with 3-5% opacity - prevents glare and reduces energy use due to temperature gain and loss

    Accessories

    • Provide everyone with ease of access to supplies, dishes, silverware, coffee, food, etc.
  • Casework and Plumbing
    • Confirm sizes with the local service team

    Counters

    • Counter height: 34” (87cm) max.
    • Counter depth: 36” (91cm) min. counter space for coffee, tea, and water filter
    • Counter width: 48” (192cm) min. counter space for food prep 
    • Countertop: Quartz composite solid surface counter
    • Bin for coffee grounds needs to be in close proximity
    • Cabinet material must be durable in the high-use areas
    • Enclosed casework for recycling, redeemable containers, compost, glass, trash. Open casework for used dish drop
    • Include casework to store dishes, silverware, equipment, and supplies. Ensure that at least a few of each item are located in an accessible location
    • Handles: Provide casework pulls/handles that is easy to open (with a single, flat hand, with no need to pinch, grasp or twist)

    Upper casework

    • Vertical product placement is preferred. Upper cabinets or shelves should be avoided. Open shelves or no uppers are preferred
    • Shelves, supplies, and appliances must be within easy reach with 48” (122cm) (44” (112cm) if obstructed by a counter) max. height. Allow room for coffee/tea/water equipment below

    Sink

    • Provide sink (or sinks) open below for a front approach. Front approach at accessible sink is required. Consider removing doors from casework at sink with 36” (92cm) min. clear for easy approach
    • At the sink, dishwasher, water dispenser, refrigerator, coffee maker. Under-counter mounted sink with food trap basket, no garbage disposal. Faucet with no sensor
    • Provide 27” (69cm) clear knee space and insulated pipes for at least one sink and counter

    Booth

    • Seat 2-6 people
    • Proportions: Use the required dimensions or approve variances with the design team
    1. Seating: 18” (46cm) max. depth
    2. Table: 36” x 48” (92cm x 122cm) 
    3. Table legs: 19” (48cm) min. inboard from the table edge to allow people using mobility devices to work comfortably
    4. Open knee space: 27” (69cm) min. height
    5. Low profile wall mount 4” (10cm) max.
    • At least one booth should be accessible for use by people with mobility assistive technology (wheelchair, scooter). The mobility device should be able to pull up without reducing the primary circulation path width, which may require the table edge to be setback from the walls on each side of the booth. Provide a 36” x 48” (92cm x 122cm) clear floor space
    • No platforms-The design allows people in wheelchairs to participate equally
    • For enclosed booths: Seal gaps for acoustics
    • Angled back is preferred, but not required
    • Durable, cleanable seating materials
  • Acoustics
    • Space feels energetic and encourages conversations. Noise shouldn’t be a distraction to adjacent workstations
    • Noise criteria (NC): 40-45 dBA
  • Equipment
    • Consult the local service team to see if the dishes will be provided. (Storage should be provided regardless, in case these are added later) 
    • Verify capacity requirements with the local service team 
    • (x1) Counter-mounted soap dispenser
    • (x1) Dishwasher: Consider raising the dishwasher so that an individual can reach the bottom at a height of at least 18” (49cm) above the finished floor without bending
    • (x2) Microwave: Ensure that at least one is in the accessible reach range
    • (x2) Refrigerator: should be a residential grade w/freezer and ice maker. No water/ice dispenser. Full-depth preferred
    • (x1) Coffee maker 
    • Hot & cold water filter 
    • Tea service 
    • In locations where vegan/non-vegan, halal/non-halal or kosher/non-kosher need to be separated, consider putting one fridge and one microwave at the end of the wet wall away from other equipment
    • Appliance controls should be located between 18”-44” (45.7cm-111.8cm) above the finished floor 
    • Store at least a portion of each item within easy reach, between 15"-48" height (38cm-122cm)
    • Provide a clear floor space of 36" width x 60" depth (91.5cm x 152.5cm) in front of all appliances
    • All equipment and supplies (water, ice, microwave, etc.) should be marked with appropriate, high-contrast signage and labelled in large print or braille
  • Electrical

    Outlets

    • As required for appliances. Perimeter outlets for cleaning equipment
    • 20-25 FC (215-269 LUX) at 30” (76cm) above the floor. Provide a higher range at the counter, with a lower range for general lighting
    • Controls: Daylight harvesting, on/off with sensor, or on during working hours
  • Wayfinding
    • See Wayfinding section
    • Amenity Icon Tab only if the location is not obvious along the circulation path at a distance
    • Often a good opportunity for placemaking
  • Branding
    • All painted elements should be easy to clean and resistant to food spills or normal wear.  Low VOC paints should be used whenever possible.
    • Tile and grout surfaces should be sealed for easy cleaning.
    • Wallpaper should be non-vinyl wall covering such as DreamScape Terralon
    • Furniture painted with brand colors should be powdercoated for durability.
    • Custom furniture or upholstery should follow CAL 133 or other local flammability standards 
    • Custom lighting should be UL listed or follow local building requirements
    • Framed graphics are typically Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG’s)

  • Technology
  • Safety and Security
    • For Workplace Security standards, contact your local Design or PM team. EHS standards can be found in Resources

Examples

Warsaw, Poland

Varied Seating

Find moments to get personal, like in built-in booths, where deeper storytelling can be introduced with graphics and imagery.

Madrid, Spain

Scale

Even in very small spaces, create impact with brand elements like artful lighting and a custom backsplash that give personality and purpose.

Eagle, PHK

Purposeful Placement

Adjacency to high traffic areas can spark impromptu interactions with team members. A simple yet dynamic graphic application gives energy and interest, drawing people into the space.