workplace design

Natural flow of traffic for optimal productivity and collaboration

• Adah Noelting Apr 13, 2022
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Miovision , being a home-grown leading provider of advanced traffic operations, it was pertinent that their new office space in Kitchener has the familiarities of small-town mixed with large scale metropolitan organization and flow. Avoiding any major uprooting and staff disruption, this space was to be used long term with the ability to nurture expansion. 

Interior Designer: Adah Noelting, ARIDO

Design Firm: Dfy Studio 

Photographer: Langen Studios

A challenge to this project was how to make it scalable without seeming temporary and unpalatable. The decision to populate such a large space comes with budget challenges, but favourable square footage per user. Essentially, one vast rectangular expanse was to be planned to have distinct segregation between different divisions while allowing collaboration for sharing of resources and tools. 

We looked to the clients’ work to drive the concept. Information gathering was near and dear to not only our design team but also the data-savvy tech clients, making the process an outstanding catalyst to the development of the design. A holistic city planning approach was the most appropriate theme to apply to both space planning and design concepts. Inspiration was taken from the design of a highway round-about that creates an everlasting natural flow of traffic both literally and visually. The circular core is the central thoroughfare and from that point strategically planned secondary routes radiate. 

The existing space and design vision provided an opportunity to establish a unique space planning approach of a circular core, from which strategically placed secondary routes would radiate. The circular core acts as the main townhall area. Each division was given a neighbourhood separated by secondary circulation routes, complete with colour coded wayfinding light fixtures and creatively disguised temporary walls for future contraction and expansion. 

To support the central town hall, subtown centres were created for convenience and amenities such as a café, lounge, a yoga facility, gym, etc. Water, coffee stations, and washrooms were also located near the centre to initiate movement and possible interaction. 

To reinforce the theme, exterior light fixtures and materials were used throughout, decorated by unique outdoor furniture pieces and custom designed movable millwork houses. With the addition of new skylights above the central townhall and the fully glazed wall, maximum  access to natural light was made possible.

Lastly, to make the connection between small town and big city, the design team engaged employees to select wall graphics from  photos of streets around the world. Organic space planning, circular flow promoting community gathering, wellness amenities, access to daylight and exterior design elements, holistically complete the smart city design solution.