M Moser reveals EY’s new ‘hospitality style’ workplace

Having already worked together in Asia and the UK, The Dock marks the first collaboration between M Moser Associates and Ernst & Young (EY) in mainland Europe.

A key question asked throughout the design planning process by M Moser was ‘what does your future workspace feel like?’ A strategy team made up of 20+ people from the industry giants discussed the concept in numerous workshops, interviews and reviews.

The conclusion: EY can spend up to four days a week at client sites, so when they return to their workspace, it’s imperative it feels like home – while flexible enough for a new generation of staff. Now employees and guests are welcomed into a social hub with a variety of seating and work desks, none of which are fixed.

With views looking out onto open water, The Pier offers multiple settings to collaborate. Elsewhere in The Dock, bookable meeting rooms are available for privacy, plus a study area at the back of the building offers a focused setting with one-person booths and desks for ‘heads-down work’.

“EY is known for its people culture – respecting diversity, prioritising teamwork and promoting wellbeing,” comments Thom van Hoefen Wijsard, Europe West Design & Projects Leader at EY.

As a result, the design principles for The Dock revolve around giving back, by creating a ‘One EY’ collaborative space that has flexibility and agility to connect a remote, office-based and hybrid workforce.

Another prerequisite for The Dock was to be desirable enough to entice staff from across the EY campus to be drawn into a workspace that encourages experimental methods of working. The centre of the building features an ideation court with floor graphics, purpose-built so teams can reconfigure the office space to suit their needs.

Adding to the sense of futureproof design, the open plan exposed ceiling has been sprayed with acoustics to lower noise distractions, further encouraging the EY community to work under one roof where they can participate in the ‘loading and unloading’ of ideas.

Throughout all of M Moser’s work, the design is mission-driven to reflect EY’s global values while being immersed in Dutch local culture.