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When Encore Environmental Services (previously Paperinkeräys) began to change its corporate culture in its old office, the situation was tough. The partitioned spaces did not allow for activity-based work and instead meant that employees were cooped up in small teams within the company. They had also completely run out of storage space and there was no place for new papers.
We began to ponder team-forming through space design methods. The renovated office space in Kalasatama was made as open as possible to increase interaction in the premises. This openness allowed the company to harness new methods of working, and collaboration began to become more visible in everyday work for the work community.
Design of the space was strongly guided by consideration for sustainable development and the utilisation of eco-friendly materials. Recycling and reuse of the old furniture was a given. The core idea was to bring nature closer to hectic Kalasatama and to make the office a place that, much like a forest, could help you to hide away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Of course, it wasn’t possible to physically bring a forest into the office, but it did spark the idea of a city park. An eye-catching park-like area was built in the middle of the office to separate work areas from break areas. This element was designed and implemented for Encore Environmental Service from scratch and acted not only as a park bench, but also as an area to grow plants and an extra storage area. It helps to get so much more out of the small space, because it can be kept open instead of using partitions and screens. The same park-like feel was also created in conference rooms by making the lighting look like tree trunks with lights attached.
One significant factor in completing the renovation was undeniably how the work community could participate in the project throughout and give feedback on different phases. That’s why it was delightful to see how easily the staff were able to start using the new space: on a visit just a few months after the spaces were taken into use, we could already see how the previously isolated teams were gathering around the city park and electric desks to work and spend time together. The general atmosphere was much more laid-back and discussion-focused – just as we envisioned at the start of the project.
