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Behaviour-based design at this Fintech office in London
M Moser Associates has created a future-proofed, inclusive space to ‘remove the intimidation from innovation.’
10/09/2020
3 min read
Project Team
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Interior Designer
M Moser Associates
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Architect
Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, AHMM (of base building)
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Flooring
Tarkett, Milliken, Bolon
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Furniture
Deadgood, HAY, Moroso, Vitra, Sancal, artek, laCidivina, Ophelis, JCL, Opus, Menu, USM, Punt, Euroworkspace, Sourcetec, Clarus
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Surfaces
Caesarstone
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Storage
Spacestor
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Lighting
Intra Lighting, 299 Lighting, Flos, Delta Light, Gubi
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Fabrics
Camira, Kvadrat, Buzzispace, Febrik
The client, a fintech payments platform, tasked M Moser’s London team to design a future-proofed workplace where staff, customers and partners could collaborate to rapidly pioneer new technologies, enabling the client to launch new products and services in a highly competitive market. 70% of the office space has been designed to foster collaboration within the group and across the larger ecosystem. Mix speaks with Senior Associate Jeni Durksen, who told us more about this Mixology shortlist-worthy workspace.
Developing an understanding of the intended users of this new workplace was one of the biggest considerations for the team. The project team needed to examine the roles, personalities and behaviours of people who would use the space from initial occupancy. Embracing ‘behaviour-based design’, a series of stakeholder journeys guide the interior design of this workplace – providing staff, customers, and partners with organic intersections to engage and collaborate.
The design takes a unique approach to curating a combination of impactful spaces with different purposes for different users, including a workplace, hotel, showroom, business lounge, application user experience room and research lab, plus catering facilities.
‘A variety of work settings provides freedom of choice for users – ranging from focus rooms, to a business lounge, to hot desking – creating environments that support every individual to be as effective as possible can have a dramatic impact on their overall output,’ says Jeni. ‘Private and focused work settings balance open areas to create options for the individual to choose how they want to work. Freedom of choice enables the user to create a unique experience – this is especially essential for Gen Z who value experience over ownership.’
Furniture was selected with future flexibility as a core focus – the majority of items are lightweight and mobile to ensure optimum versatility, including booth seating, mobile-tiered seating, whiteboards and stackable chairs. Lighting design is not aligned to one specific layout, and the finishes have been selected for their longevity.
The Amphitheatre
A digital branded wall at the entrance can be adapted to suit different visitors, tailoring the user journey and creating an impactful experience that combines branding, collaboration, wayfinding and privacy.
Stakeholders are encouraged to strategise and be experimental within the innovation centre – a key concept for the scheme. The landscape dilates through the remodelling of comfortable work settings that support the needs of a changing workforce. Employees and teams adapt areas, without restriction, to achieve their goals.
The project’s unique objective was to address a larger business purpose to, ‘remove intimidation from the innovation process’. Designed to inspire new ways of thinking and working, the headquarters pioneers, humanises and simplifies the innovation by activating a culture of experimentation and intelligent risk-taking.
Designing for a company that had no existing employees was one of the most challenging aspects of the project for the team. To create an office for this young organisation, they needed to examine and redefine the definition of innovation – a distinctive platform that provides flexibility for future expansion, the workplace would inform the blueprint for a future global rollout.
And their favourite element of the space? ‘One of our favourite elements is the amphitheatre as it highlights the holistic, multi-faceted nature of the design,’ says Jeni. ‘To create a comfortable, streamlined environment for innovation that responds to cycles of flexibility, a combination of mobile-tiered seating and other flexible furniture activates the space. From TED-talk style presentations to training sessions and workshops, the space’s innate fluidity breaks down boundaries, encouraging smart interaction and decision-making.’
