High-integrated generative space for knowledge-based industry

Grado identifies the impact of digital transformation on the market demand for soft furnishings across the Fintech industry landscape, which instead requires even more reasonable space arrangements than ever to coordinate a streamlined working process. Less face-to-face reception and customer support but a virtual responsive system and intelligent risk-taking decision-making process demand higher space flexibility and fitment versatility to support such agility. Traditional banks try to keep up with customer demands for convenience and accessibility with the adoption of new technologies, yet face the challenge of security and privacy concerns. Therefore, core metrics to guide furniture selection and interior design for Fintech clients based on understanding their behavior changes in specific scenarios are taken into account including confidentiality, flexibility, and title ranking. On the industrial level, the ability to protect confidentiality is the key aspect of a trustworthy financial company. Flexibility and title ranking reflect the role of the users within the organizational structure and their needs. We acknowledge that full product series not only point to the variety of the design but also systematic classification. Lord Series, Modo Sofa Series, Every Chair Series, and Pouf Series alongside Ray coffee table characterized by sharp, sleek, and clear contours unclutter extra decors freeing out more innovative space.

Context: Generative Building  

Our approach to knowledge-based industries in terms of space design relates to generative and conservative building within the context of space syntax theory. Previous research reveals that spatial configuration significantly impacts knowledge creation, social interaction, and organizational behavior within office environments, particularly in industries reliant on knowledge-intensive activities. More specifically, within knowledge-based industries such as technology, research and development, and creative sectors, the implications of generative and conservative building concepts are of paramount importance. Spaces designed to be generative, with high integration and affordance for random encounters, are conducive to facilitating spontaneous interactions and knowledge sharing among employees. This can lead to an increase in collaboration, idea generation, and thus innovation, which are vital components of success in knowledge-based industries. Conversely, conservative building layouts, characterized by segregation and higher average mean depth, might inhibit the potential for serendipitous interactions and organic knowledge exchange within these industries. Grado also roots in the understanding of these dynamics while corporating with these knowledge-based organizations to create environments that not only support the daily functions of employees but also foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and knowledge creation.

Stakeholder Analysis

• Business Owner
  

Fintech office design is swayed by two major players, business owners and designers who are both well aware of the shift in user needs and business models. Business owners, realize that they don’t require the same level of real estate as they had pre-pandemic. They crave strategic office planning which can adapt to future requirements for even higher working efficiency. They first mirror tech giants like Meta and Twitter in their re-evaluation of their real estate and start scaling down their office space to reduce costs. The reduction in their real estate portfolio leads to more affordable prime commercial real estate that in turn asks them to re-assess how they can make the best of these remaining spaces. However, time in the office may increase as calls for employees to spend more time in the office as usual are becoming more common. They also need to be prepared to retain a balance of remote work but meanwhile, seek to bring people together more often. The work environments are encouraged to be more personalized with the rise of more diverse digital practices, purposefully attracting and retaining top talents. Hence, while working from home is expected to last, fintechs possibly push their sectors to invest in departmental refurbishments to earn more recognizable value or even edged advantage for their employees. People-centric mindset fills in the emergence of independent workstations that may be clustered to foster both collaboration and focus-based work. The aim to elevate the user experience and engagement, provide a sense of belonging, and highlight company culture and identity is a necessity.

• Designer

Fintech office designers prioritize creating a prospective workplace that responds to businessmen’s anticipation for spontaneous collaboration to remove the intimidation from digital transformation. Therefore, a space where staff, customers, and partners could collaborate to pioneer new technologies and launch new investment or security products and services in a highly competitive market is required. To achieve this, Grado carries out behavior-based design and develops an understanding of the intended users of the space. We examine the roles, personalities, and behaviors of the users who may be veteran investors, business consultants, or simply advise seekers. Yet they may need to stick around the reception area for hours because less complicated businesses can be completed online.

Moreover, facing pages of e-billing all day long, comfortable financial negotiations may be more easily held on a soft-armed sofa. In addition, classic combinations of coffee tables, lounge chairs, and poufs are flexible mobile units that allow re-arrangements and removements if desired. More personalized spaces seem to generate themselves as we explore further due to derived user needs and creative space expressions such as showroom, business lounge, application user experience room, and research lab. The goal is to provide organic intersections for staff, customers, and partners to engage and collaborate. The office space was designed to offer a variety of work settings, providing freedom of choice to users. It includes focus rooms, a business lounge, and hot desking areas, allowing individuals to work in environments that support their productivity. This freedom of choice is especially important for Gen Z employees who value experience over ownership. Flexibility and future adaptability were key considerations in the selection of furniture and lighting design. Lightweight and mobile furniture items were chosen to ensure versatility, and the lighting design is not aligned to one specific layout, which is such leverage that enhances user experience by simply adjusting the hues and shades.