How Forward-Thinking Finance Companies Design Their Offices
For modern finance institutions, success isn't solely determined by numbers—it's also about creating an environment where innovation thrives. Banks and financial services firms are increasingly taking cues from tech companies known for their creative office designs. This has given rise to many forward-thinking finance firms, where office design is a vital ingredient for success.
Imagine spaces infused with the latest technological integrations, vibrant communal hubs illuminated by natural light, and breakout zones that spark spontaneous creativity. These meticulously curated environments are strategic tools aimed at optimising productivity and elevating employee morale.
Let’s explore some cutting-edge office designs within the finance sector, revealing how these spaces propel organisations towards pioneering achievements while nurturing a culture of relentless innovation.
Revolutionising Finance: Modern Office Designs & Connectivity Focus
Northern Trust Bank stands as a beacon of innovation, not just in its financial practices but also in its office design ethos. As the industry undergoes a cultural shift, Northern Trust recognizes the need to embrace modernity in the very spaces where their teams collaborate and innovate. Enter a workspace meticulously crafted to resonate with the values of the new generation of workers—flexibility, connectivity, and sustainability.
Drawing from the foundational pillars of cultural shift, communal aspect, team interactions, and visual connections, Northern Trust's office design narrative unfolds as a symphony for the senses, an experiential journey to elevate productivity and wellbeing. At the heart of the creative office interior design philosophy lay a profound understanding of human psychology, leveraging the power of sight, smell, touch, taste, and auditory stimuli to create a holistic experience. Each element was carefully curated, from the vibrant hues igniting energy to the subtle fragrances evoking inspiration.
Tactile experiences transcend aesthetics, promoting connections bridging diverse teams and backgrounds. Strategically positioned food and beverage zones became hubs of interaction, fueling not just nourishment but also conversations. Like silent sanctuaries amidst the hustle, acoustic zones ensured that every conversation held the perfect balance of privacy and collaboration. Ultimately, Northern Trust's revolutionising approach to creative office interior design is a strategic investment in the future, a tangible manifestation of the bank's unwavering commitment to its employees and the communities it serves.
Enhancing Efficiency: The Impact of Design Features
Prudential is known for its innovation, not just in its financial services but also in its approach to workplace design. Knowing that success lies in cultivating an environment that amplifies individual purpose and ownership, Prudential embarked on a transformative journey guided by the principles of Design Thinking. Through meticulous observation studies and collaborative workshops with change champions and work groups, the company gained insights into the aspirations of its employees.
With a clear vision in mind, Prudential's creative office interior design idea took shape. It embodies the nurturing and safeguarding of a diverse community, much like seeds in a shell symbolising growth and protection. The result? 'Workplayce'—a dynamic space that merges creativity, collaboration, and wellness. Embracing an activity-based working approach, the workplace empowers employees to work on their terms, maximising productivity and satisfaction. Vibrant, collaborative areas promote innovation and teamwork, while serene nature-inspired retreats offer spaces for rejuvenation and renewal.
The impact of these creative office interior design features on employee efficiency is profound. Empowering employees to choose how and where they work heightened productivity and cultivated a sense of ownership. Serene retreats provide much-needed respites, ensuring employees return to their tasks refreshed and motivated. In this narrative of innovation and empowerment, Prudential transforms its workplace and sets a new standard for efficiency in the finance sector.
Promoting Innovation: Collaborative Spaces in Finance
Avendus, a prominent financial services firm, has merged seven distinct business units into a cohesive whole. This task wasn't just about physical space but about creating an environment that promotes collaboration and innovation among its professionals. This is mainly because collaborative settings can improve employee task completion efficiency by 50%. Avendus embarked on a transformative journey guided by design thinking principles to balance functionality and inspiration while preserving its brand and culture.
Enter Space Matrix, tasked with bringing Avendus's vision to life. Through a meticulous process of understanding the needs of both clients and employees, Space Matrix crafted a workplace concept that seamlessly integrated privacy and collaboration. Luxurious materials added an air of sophistication, while indoor and outdoor elements, such as expansive terraces and retractable ceilings, created a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.
The result? A unified, upscale workspace that reflects Avendus's brand and culture and promotes teamwork and innovative problem-solving abilities among its finance professionals. Tailoring experiences for both clients and employees have helped Avendus’s collaborative spaces become more than just places to work—they have become catalysts for excellence.
American Express (Amex): A Blueprint for Forward-Thinking Office Design
Facing the dual challenge of creating an unforgettable office experience while ensuring resilience for evolving business needs, Amex committed to putting employee well-being and brand loyalty at the forefront of its office design strategy. Space Matrix helped them apply empathy-driven design thinking to understand their employees' aspirations. It resulted in the innovative Bluework Approach, which emphasises technology adaptation, dynamic spaces, and a focus on wellness and sustainability.
The new Amex office is a vertical micro-campus, thoughtfully designed across five floors to promote connection. The unique "Hear, Nourish, See, Speak, and Sow" concept guides the layout of each floor, creating distinctive social spaces and artworks that promote belongingness. Flexibility is a crucial aspect of the design, with modular planning that allows workstations to transform into collaborative areas and meeting rooms.
The results of Amex’s redesign are striking: a fourfold increase in alternate work points, a tripling of meeting and community spaces, and a significant boost in employee pride and belonging. The strategic design highlights the power of a visionary approach to creating workspaces that enhance employee productivity and brand loyalty.
Elevating Finance: The Power of Innovative Workspace Design
From Northern Trust's vibrant hubs of creativity to Prudential's harmonious blend of collaboration and wellness and Avendus's seamless integration of diverse business units, these examples illustrate the transformative power of creative office interior design ideas. Embracing inclusivity, flexibility, and creativity principles have helped these forward-thinking companies enhance employee efficiency and promote a culture of collaboration and innovation.
So, think about creating environments that inspire, empower, and elevate the human experience. Contact our workplace design experts today to create the workspace of tomorrow, which will be a strategic asset in driving growth and shaping the future of finance.
