Aikido’s new workspace reflects the bold, energetic spirit of their team and supports their journey as a fast-growing tech scale-up. The design blends focused work zones with vibrant communal areas in a minimalist, Japanese-inspired style. Every detail was crafted to create a dynamic environment where people can collaborate, celebrate, and innovate.
Top 3 priorities
Create a flexible workspace that evolves with a rapidly growing team
Support a unique company culture and an ambitious growth path
Balance deep focus with collaborative energy
Look & feel
Modern, with retro-Japanese influence
Special touches
- Striking bar area with a custom light box spelling “Aikido” in Japanese
- Bold color accents to energize and define key areas
- Custom-built communal table for team lunches, rituals, and events
- Natural materials like rattan to bring warmth and texture, inspired by traditional Japanese design
Tailored spaces
- Custom bar for celebrations and team gatherings
- Dual-kitchen setup: a back-of-house kitchen for catering, plus an open kitchen for daily team use
- Dedicated gong niche for sales celebrations
- Color-blocked lounge areas for informal meetings or focused individual work.
The Context
Imagine a fast-growing startup moving into its very first office, bringing big dreams, momentum, and constant change. Aikido Security wanted a space that captured their bold company culture through the lens of minimalist yet daring Japanese design.
The team was scaling so quickly that they moved in while we were still designing. Their real-time feedback shaped the space week by week, allowing us to adjust layouts, functions, and flows based on how the team actually worked.
Instead of slowing us down, these creative constraints pushed us to deliver faster, smarter, tailor-made solutions. The result was a workspace that evolved naturally alongside the people it was built for.
The Outcome
Walking into Aikido’s office today, you feel their culture immediately. The workspace has become a living ecosystem that grows with the team and adapts to their rhythms.
The custom communal table transformed lunch into a daily ritual that brings everyone together. Japanese-inspired wallpapers tie all meeting rooms into one cohesive story. A lush indoor plant jungle boosts well-being and adds natural calm. The vibrant red bar has quickly become the heart of celebrations and after-work gatherings.
Carefully placed color accents animate different work modes:
- Bold reds for collaboration
- Calming greens for focus
- Soft pinks for slower, restorative moments
Aikido’s new office amplifies their culture, supports their growth trajectory, and gives them a real advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.
