Can space inspire creative thinking and generate fresh ideas? How can you design a place where the best concepts are produced? How to build a community that will exchange knowledge? New work environment of brands such as Onet, Business Insider, Noizz, Forbes and Ofeminin answers these questions. Studio Workplace designed “Neon Innovation Hub” for Ringier Axel Springer Polska – work space that extends employee experience. 

Present-day work culture and business are based on knowledge exchange which is vital for creating innovations. Creativity is based on two activities – generating ideas and implementing ideas. RASP Group’s Management Board – wanted to create a location that would foster both these activities and provide adequate support for innovation development.

First goal - the office was to be a showpiece and a home to the forward-thinking media services that, much like the office, were to address the needs of modern generations. What is more, new worksplace should attract the best people, accumulate creativity within a single space, and become a place that helps promote the brands and reflect their character.

Architects designed a space that is smart and stylish. It is a space for young people that follow the latest trends. The office space needed a look of a Brooklyn cafe – energising and full of vibrant atmosphere. A loft-and-garage decor was chosen as the main motif. The design process was based on a constant exchange of ideas with the Management Board, and the selection of the final concept was agreed on in detail.

The heart of the office is the central networking zone. On top of its networking functionality, it can be easily transformed into an event zone. Brick walls, an open ceiling, steel windowpane dividers and plenty of wooden and metal items – these are the components that define it. Work zones for specific brands are located around the central zone. Each one has a unique design that reflects the nature of its activity. Noizz is an industrial space connected to the networking zone, while Business Insider features an elegant and restrained decor with minimalistic details. There is also a space dedicated for the publishers’ customers – inteligent showroom where visitors are greeted by Alexa, the voice of the Amazon Echo smart system.

The Neon Innovation Hub is a place where ideas are formed. Three months after the launch date, we can now see how this space lives – the networking zone is full of people and teeming with the staff’s enthusiasm. Owing to the interviews we held after the move, we now know what needs to be modified and enhanced for the space to suit the needs of its users even better and enable them to generate the best ideas possible. – the Workplace design team is describing.

AUTHORS:

Management board:

·        Bogusz Parzyszek, CEO & Founder

·        Dominika Zielińska, Co-CEO & Head Architect

Design team:

·        Marzena Bednarczyk, Senior Architect

·        Igor Białorucki, Senior Architect

·        Ewa Jędras, Architect

·        Maciej Kolak, Architect

Wayfinding & space branding: Damian Bieniek, Dorota Stępniak, Katarzyna Lewoc, Paweł Lewoc