Across small footprint projects, design teams have only a few opportunities to deliver a space that makes a lasting impression.
A recently completed project by M Moser delivers a signature branding experience with positive fintech vibes in an 11,000 square foot workspace in London’s Silicon Roundabout neighborhood.
The client, a Middle Eastern fintech company called Finablr, was unique in that it had no prior office. Finablr’s leadership knew that London would be a place to find the exceptional talent they were looking for, and a location that would be easy to travel to. Within London, M Moser worked with Finablr to find the right spot for them.
To learn more about how this design team went about creating standout moments at Finablr, we spoke with M Moser’s Mariana Anelli, Associate, Workplace Design, and Jeni Durksen, Senior Associate, Design.
“That area of London used to be very industrial eight or nine years ago, but then a few art galleries began popping up in adjacent neighborhoods. That growth continued, and now it’s full of these hybrids of art and technology, with tons of new restaurants and coffee shops. It’s a real mix of everything. And, London is so built up that it’s hard to find new builds. The Silicon Roundabout is really the center of that new build scene in London.”
M Moser’s task was to create a “progressive ecosystem full of intersecting touchpoints that staff, partners and customers could use to collaborate and experiment for rapid pioneering of new technologies.” A culture of experimentation and intelligent risk-taking was the priority.
“They had no prior conceptions about how they worked, because they had nothing concrete to start with. They had no employee numbers, no prior office to look at to see how they were working, what their work style was like.”
To develop an understanding of the intended users of this new workplace, the M Moser project team worked closely with Finablr to examine the roles, personalities and behaviors of employees. As a result of those efforts, 70% of the office space is designed for collaborative functions, supporting the launch of new products and services.
At the entrance, staff and visitors are guided gently into the space by a curved digital wall leading to a small footprint reception and a showcase space beyond. The digital wall creates a thoughtful combination of branding and wayfinding.
“Finablr had requested a ‘showroom’ space of sorts, and at the beginning we had to really work with them to understand what exactly they wanted out of that space.”
The resulting solution is called The Counter, a space with the ability to accommodate a host of different experiences. In addition to informal meetings between coworkers, employees can host testing, training and other workshops there, as well as host visiting guests.
Just beyond The Counter is a rounded amphitheater that M Moser designed to be hyper-dynamic – the ultimate multipurpose space.
“We created the amphitheater so that it could be divided into different zones that would respond to the different stakeholders moving through the space throughout the day.”
“To respond to cycles of flexibility, a combination of mobile-tiered seating, whiteboards on tracks and lightweight stackable chairs activate the amphitheater to accommodate up to 120 people,” reads the project notes. “The space supports TED-talk style presentations, training sessions, and workshops. TV/AV equipment offers the ability to stream Finablr’s town-hall meetings globally.”
“Acoustic curtains that zone the amphitheatre feature a transparent honeycomb pattern. The holes in the net-like fabric trap sound to block it from entering or leaving. Booth seating situated behind the curtains is a perfect space for private calls or discussions.”
The Finablr offices are rounded out by a UX work lounge located on the other side of the digital wall, a research room, and a series of flexible meeting spaces, work rooms and privacy rooms fitted with floor-to-ceiling privacy glass. A prep kitchen and island can be used as a buffet for lunches and cocktail events.
Employees have freedom to choose how they work throughout the day, moving through private and focus work settings into an open office. “Choice enables the user to create a unique experience, and this is especially essential for Gen Z, who value experience over ownership,” said Ms. Anelli, in project notes.
Aesthetically, Finablr wanted something unique, and something that would define their brand, but they were also looking for longevity. To start, the offices feature sweeping views of London.
“We wanted to let the brand speak to the space, rather than let the space take over. And it’s such a hands-on space that it really defines what flexibility can be. Its design lets people come in and experience the space in so many different ways, enabling many different users to take ownership of the space.”
At Finablr’s request, the workplace is completely future-proofed, able to accommodate changing needs and shifts in their staff, from base-build enhancements up.
In addition to the challenge of having no prior office/workplace strategy to look to, another challenge the design team faced was a lack of face-to-face time with the Finablr team all through the discovery, design, and construction processes. Finablr wasn’t yet located in London, so the M Moser design team needed to be creative in developing collaborative time between themselves and their client. Their efforts panned out.
“Once we finished the project, Finablr’s Global CTO Mehul Desai, told us, ‘When I first walked through the space, it was exactly how I imagined it would be and feel and work – without designing it myself.’”
A sweet reaction every design team hopes to hear at a project’s conclusion!
