Office Design

Office Design

Office Design

At Ikon Technologies, I unexpectedly found myself overseeing the design and construction of our new corporate office. Though this was well outside my area of expertise, I embraced the challenge. Despite the demands, I loved bringing the project to life and learning from the process.

At Ikon Technologies, I unexpectedly found myself overseeing the design and construction of our new corporate office. Though this was well outside my area of expertise, I embraced the challenge. Despite the demands, I loved bringing the project to life and learning from the process.

At Ikon Technologies, I unexpectedly found myself overseeing the design and construction of our new corporate office. Though this was well outside my area of expertise, I embraced the challenge. Despite the demands, I loved bringing the project to life and learning from the process.

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

When I joined Ikon Technologies, the office was a bland, cubicle-filled space that stifled creativity and connection. The initial plan for the new office was to replicate this layout, but the president tasked me, as the team’s sole creative, with reimagining a space that fostered collaboration, creativity, and well-being.

When I joined Ikon Technologies, the office was a bland, cubicle-filled space that stifled creativity and connection. The initial plan for the new office was to replicate this layout, but the president tasked me, as the team’s sole creative, with reimagining a space that fostered collaboration, creativity, and well-being.

When I joined Ikon Technologies, the office was a bland, cubicle-filled space that stifled creativity and connection. The initial plan for the new office was to replicate this layout, but the president tasked me, as the team’s sole creative, with reimagining a space that fostered collaboration, creativity, and well-being.

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

With the green light to start the project, I began getting to know our employees' work habits, needs, and preferences. A few themes emerged from this study:

• Reduced noise
• Universal desk sizes
• Offices closer to their teams
• More meeting and collaborative spaces
• More comfortable break area
• Better coffee and drink selections

With the green light to start the project, I began getting to know our employees' work habits, needs, and preferences. A few themes emerged from this study:

• Reduced noise
• Universal desk sizes
• Offices closer to their teams
• More meeting and collaborative spaces
• More comfortable break area
• Better coffee and drink selections

With the green light to start the project, I began getting to know our employees' work habits, needs, and preferences. A few themes emerged from this study:

• Reduced noise
• Universal desk sizes
• Offices closer to their teams
• More meeting and collaborative spaces
• More comfortable break area
• Better coffee and drink selections

I also researched trends, best practices, furniture, textures, color palettes, and more to get an idea of what has been effective in other spaces. 

I also researched trends, best practices, furniture, textures, color palettes, and more to get an idea of what has been effective in other spaces. 

I also researched trends, best practices, furniture, textures, color palettes, and more to get an idea of what has been effective in other spaces. 

After completing my crash course in interior office design, I sketched layouts and gathered feedback from team members and stakeholders. Once we had a solid concept, we partnered with Interior Architects, who elevated the design with practical solutions, materials, colors, and intricate details.

I oversaw numerous design iterations, approving everything from custom furniture and textures to lighting and HVAC layouts. This was the most enjoyable part, giving me insight into the precision required for construction, where errors can mean significant costs, delays, or safety risks—unlike the quick fixes possible in software. Once finalized, construction began.

After completing my crash course in interior office design, I sketched layouts and gathered feedback from team members and stakeholders. Once we had a solid concept, we partnered with Interior Architects, who elevated the design with practical solutions, materials, colors, and intricate details.

I oversaw numerous design iterations, approving everything from custom furniture and textures to lighting and HVAC layouts. This was the most enjoyable part, giving me insight into the precision required for construction, where errors can mean significant costs, delays, or safety risks—unlike the quick fixes possible in software. Once finalized, construction began.

After completing my crash course in interior office design, I sketched layouts and gathered feedback from team members and stakeholders. Once we had a solid concept, we partnered with Interior Architects, who elevated the design with practical solutions, materials, colors, and intricate details.

I oversaw numerous design iterations, approving everything from custom furniture and textures to lighting and HVAC layouts. This was the most enjoyable part, giving me insight into the precision required for construction, where errors can mean significant costs, delays, or safety risks—unlike the quick fixes possible in software. Once finalized, construction began.

After a thorough bidding process, we selected a general contractor and they got to work on the project. We had weekly status meetings that included the GC, architects, and a number of trades that provided updates to progress and any issues, approvals, or change orders that came up. Being a part of this project from the beginning, it was very exciting seeing it come to life and a comparable feeling to seeing your product come to life through development.

After a thorough bidding process, we selected a general contractor and they got to work on the project. We had weekly status meetings that included the GC, architects, and a number of trades that provided updates to progress and any issues, approvals, or change orders that came up. Being a part of this project from the beginning, it was very exciting seeing it come to life and a comparable feeling to seeing your product come to life through development.

After a thorough bidding process, we selected a general contractor and they got to work on the project. We had weekly status meetings that included the GC, architects, and a number of trades that provided updates to progress and any issues, approvals, or change orders that came up. Being a part of this project from the beginning, it was very exciting seeing it come to life and a comparable feeling to seeing your product come to life through development.

With construction complete, the long awaited move in data could be set and our teams could start using the space. Below is a walkthrough of highlights of the space.

With construction complete, the long awaited move in data could be set and our teams could start using the space. Below is a walkthrough of highlights of the space.

With construction complete, the long awaited move in data could be set and our teams could start using the space. Below is a walkthrough of highlights of the space.

I had no idea what to expect when asked to lead this project, but it gave me a chance to work creatively in a new way and deepened my appreciation for the meticulous detail in interior design and construction.

Unlike software, this waterfall approach required thorough planning with no room for quick testing or MVPs. Much of what we built was well-received, like the small conference rooms, which were constantly in use, and the break room, a favorite for its coffee machine and Bevi fountain. However, some areas fell short. The lounge and booths were rarely used due to a lack of comfort and privacy, as well as a culture that discouraged time away from desks. Retrofitting these spaces with soundproofing and frosted glass could make them more inviting.

One regret was skipping the darker ceiling paint as a cost-saving measure. The exposed ceiling ended up looking busy and distracting, and painting it would have been a simple yet impactful enhancement—truly, *chef’s kiss*.

I had no idea what to expect when asked to lead this project, but it gave me a chance to work creatively in a new way and deepened my appreciation for the meticulous detail in interior design and construction.

Unlike software, this waterfall approach required thorough planning with no room for quick testing or MVPs. Much of what we built was well-received, like the small conference rooms, which were constantly in use, and the break room, a favorite for its coffee machine and Bevi fountain. However, some areas fell short. The lounge and booths were rarely used due to a lack of comfort and privacy, as well as a culture that discouraged time away from desks. Retrofitting these spaces with soundproofing and frosted glass could make them more inviting.

One regret was skipping the darker ceiling paint as a cost-saving measure. The exposed ceiling ended up looking busy and distracting, and painting it would have been a simple yet impactful enhancement—truly, *chef’s kiss*.

I had no idea what to expect when asked to lead this project, but it gave me a chance to work creatively in a new way and deepened my appreciation for the meticulous detail in interior design and construction.

Unlike software, this waterfall approach required thorough planning with no room for quick testing or MVPs. Much of what we built was well-received, like the small conference rooms, which were constantly in use, and the break room, a favorite for its coffee machine and Bevi fountain. However, some areas fell short. The lounge and booths were rarely used due to a lack of comfort and privacy, as well as a culture that discouraged time away from desks. Retrofitting these spaces with soundproofing and frosted glass could make them more inviting.

One regret was skipping the darker ceiling paint as a cost-saving measure. The exposed ceiling ended up looking busy and distracting, and painting it would have been a simple yet impactful enhancement—truly, *chef’s kiss*.