With breath-taking views over the Frankfurt skyline, international consultancy firm Mercer has chosen to move away from individual offices to one open space. Mercer has literally torn down the walls to discover new ways of sharing knowledge and increasing innovation. All employees, from the managing director to newly hired junior consultants, share one workspace. Kinnarps has focused on finding solutions that increase collaboration and creativity.
NEW WORK IS DYNAMIC
A new office presented Mercer with an opportunity to implement a new vision and create a workspace for the future. The starting point for this new approach was the knowledge of employees as a resource for innovation. The design was inspired by the new work trend where flexible structures provide more opportunities for creative collaboration. One important consideration for the new office was that teams who have previously worked together stay connected.
Even though their new workspace is open plan, Mercer didn’t want to follow the trend towards desk sharing. Kinnarps assisted interior architects Conceptsued° in providing each employee with an ergonomically designed personal workplace. Meeting rooms are also on hand for more formal meetings and a generous staff lounge with free coffee provides space for rest and relaxation. There’s also an ‘Activity Room’, nineteen ‘Think Tanks’ and five ‘Quiet Rooms’ for phone calls or quiet contemplation. All these areas have been furnished with workspace solutions for prosperity and wellbeing.
ERGONOMIC DESIGN BOOSTS MOTIVATION
An ergonomically designed workspace is not only good for worker wellbeing; it also boosts motivation. Colour is an often-overlooked factor of ergonomic design. Interior designers CSMM decided to use warm colours and accents in the early stages of the project. Kinnarps Colour Studio made it easy to choose from hundreds of sustainable fabrics and colour combinations, personalising products with a few simple clicks.
Light and sound are two other important ergonomic considerations. At Mercer’s new office, screens have been used between workstations to create spaces within a space, for privacy and improved focus. The floors and ceiling were also acoustically treated to reduce sound reflections and LED lighting can be adjusted in sections. Every section can also fine tune temperature by two or three degrees up or down. All these factors combine to give workers the best possible environment for work.
DESIGN FOR YOUR FUTURE NEEDS
Successful design meets the long-term needs of the user. When designing their new office space, Mercer wanted to future proof their investment. By investing in sustainable, ergonomic designs, they’ve ensured that future generations of workers have the tools to prosper. By consulting with employees and listening to their needs, we were able to use our knowledge and expertise to guide Mercer in their decision making process, ensuring every workspace solution meets their future needs.
