Workplace
ID Business Solutions
Creating a People-Centric Workspace for a Leading Tech Company
2 Floors
13 Week Programme
20,000 Sq Ft
The Challenge
Create a cohesive, people-centric workspace across two floors that supported flexible working and future growth, while reflecting the IDBS brand.
The Solution
A flexible, brand-aligned office design that seamlessly connected two floors, fostering collaboration and accommodating future growth.
The Result
An inspiring, adaptable workspace that enhances employee wellbeing and supports the evolving needs of IDBS.
ID Business Solutions (IDBS), a global leader in data management and data analytics software, embarked on a significant project to relocate its offices to the sixth and seventh floors of their building in Surrey.
The primary goal was to create an environment that was not only representative of the IDBS brand but also inspiring, accessible, and supportive of its existing and future team members. Maris Interiors was tasked with this challenge, bringing our expertise in creating workspaces that enhance productivity, attract top talent, and foster a positive work culture.
Our journey with IDBS began with a thorough understanding of their brief. We see our role not just as designers and builders but as partners who help businesses explore the possibilities within their work environment. This collaborative approach allowed us to guide IDBS in clarifying their vision for the new space.
People-Centric Design
The central focus of this project was the people. The project manager from IDBS was deeply committed to creating a workspace that made employees feel safe, valued, and inspired. This people-centric approach was critical to support attracting talent back to the office and supporting diverse working styles were paramount.
Reflecting Brand Identity
The new office space for IDBS was designed to be both visually appealing and reflective of the company’s brand. We incorporated their brand colours—blue and teal with accents of coral—predominantly in the soft furnishings throughout the collaborative areas. One of the standout features was the removal of a traditional ceiling, replaced with a blue sprayed mesh. This design choice added height and a unique visual element, making the space feel open and inviting while also serving as a clear identifier of different areas within the office.
Infrastructure for Future Growth
A key consideration in the design was the need for flexibility to accommodate future growth. IDBS required a space that could easily expand as the company grew, without compromising the overall design aesthetic. To achieve this, we intentionally left parts of the office under-furnished, allowing for the addition of more desks and workstations as needed. This approach ensured that the office felt complete and functional from day one while retaining the flexibility to adapt to the company’s evolving needs.
Developing a World-Leading Tech Environment
Designing for a company that leads in data management and analytics meant that we had to create a space that was not only functional but also conducive to the various ways in which people work. We developed an open-plan office that supported collaboration, independent work, and everything in between. The concept was akin to a neighbourhood, where different zones catered to different activities and preferences.
Key features of the design included:
- Flexible spaces where employees could break away from their desks and work in a different setting.
- Areas designed for quieter, one-on-one conversations or focused work on laptops.
- Private spaces for calls and small meetings.
- Larger areas for interconnected departments to collaborate.
- A welcoming area that seamlessly integrated with the workspaces, fostering a sense of community.
Two Floors – One Cohesive Space
One of the challenges of the project was ensuring that the two floors felt like a single, cohesive space. IDBS was concerned about potential separation between teams, so we used design to transform the staircase into a central, unifying feature. Positioned at the heart of the office, the staircase connected the reception, meeting suite, and cafe on the seventh floor with the hub and workspaces on the sixth floor. This vertical connection was not only functional but also symbolic of the company’s collaborative culture.
To maximise the functionality of the staircase area, we incorporated tiered seating underneath on one side and storage on the other. This approach ensured that every part of the office worked as hard as possible, contributing to a seamless and integrated office experience.
The project for ID Business Solutions was a testament to the importance of designing with people in mind. By focusing on creating a workspace that was flexible, inspiring, and reflective of the company’s brand, we helped IDBS achieve their goal of attracting and retaining top talent while fostering a positive and productive work environment. The final office space not only meets the current needs of IDBS but is also ready to evolve as the company continues to grow.