Informa is a multinational events and publications company with worldwide offices in 43 countries. Whilst the company employs some loose fit branding principles to create a corporate coherence, each individual office responds to its location to create a sense of place and individuality for its international teams. Every global business wants to combine international clout with local colour, but how can we do that with interior and workspace design?
Having already designed the Informa New City base, where we trialed the concept of combining distinct companies within a single building, we were familiar with some of the group's organizing principles and a hot desk/locker culture that would provide maximum flexibility of resources. in order to create a new working environment to accommodate a range of needs, we worked closely with staff there to understand their individual requirements and help them manage large scale organizational change. Interiors were inspired by nearby cultural landmarks such as the High Line and New York Public Library.
The challenge in London was to create a new Informa workspace, on a single floor, with a doughnut plan within the Bankside Blue Fin Building. We undertook extensive analysis of individual departments to inform our internal layouts, grouping teams accordingly to avoid a boisterous sales team for example being beside a quiet market analysis team. We analyzed a variety of tech needs including those needing four screens per person in order to simultaneously access live data.
Our approach was to provide the widest possible range ow workspaces; private and public areas, high desk and lounge seating, break out spaces, and bookable meeting rooms. We also created some individual phone booths with great acoustics for private conversations, The Lawn (a relaxed cafe space) and a Library space for quiet working, located close to existing mature trees to connect with the natural world and increase a sense of wellbeing and relaxation in staff. Our analysis meant we were able to balance high desk density in some areas with additional, high-quality informal spaces elsewhere.
Our interior design was inspired by the building's proximity to the Tate modern and the pop art it showcases, with bold and colourful reference to Bridget Riley and Andy Warhol used to give character and distinction to varied spaces and help orientate staff within a circular floor plan.
To reflect Informa's democratic and inclusive process, traditionally high-status corner offices and rooms with great views at the perimeter have been freed up to given back to staff rather than house the Board or CEO.
Material Used :
1. Suspended Circular Pendant by Flos Smithfield
2. White Feature Pendant Cluster by Flos Aim
3. Track lighting system with adjustable spot lights by Formation Lighting
4. Large Circular Halo pendant by Delta
