Creative and dynamic workspace with an energetic and collaborative atmosphere

Aurora's spacious, inspiring new office has been designed to support the diverse working styles of their growing team. Their workspace is a vibrant, multifunctional environment that reflects their ambitious company culture.

"Our new office space is more than just a location—it's a transformative milestone that positions us for the next stage of growth. This new environment will not only fuel innovation and collaboration but also attract the best talent in the industry. With this move, we are creating a foundation for future success, expanding our horizons, and setting the stage for an enormous positive impact on our business and the people who shape it."

Caroline Turner, Head of Business Infrastructure & Operations at Aurora

Key features

  • Bleacher seating
  • Sustainable focus
  • Colour theory inspired palette
  • Furniture reuse
  • Branded elements

Aurora had outgrown their outdated office space, which lacked the connectivity and space required for their growing business. With ambitious plans for expansion, they required a more inspiring and functional space that reflected their strong company culture. They wanted to create a collaborative office space with a collegiate atmosphere, drawing inspiration from the dynamic and academic environment of top-tier universities.

They wanted a central café area for town halls, social gatherings and meetings, with collaborative spaces that allowed teams to work together but easily transition to individual tasks. Operating internationally, Aurora needed well equipped meeting rooms for online collaboration and spaces for training new people.

Workplace sandwich

We met Aurora’s brief by combining collaborative and quiet working spaces. The larger floorplates of the new building enabled us to design a layout that functioned like a sandwich: with meeting rooms at one end, quiet zones at the other and a range of collaborative, open spaces in between. This approach provided flexibility for different working styles and improved team interaction.

The lower ground floor is dedicated to training and includes large meeting rooms, a tea point and breakout areas. Recognising the importance of a hassle free commute for Aurora's people, we made the back entrance, with its bike storage, showers and changing areas, as welcoming as the front.

We strategically positioned the boardroom on the top floor so that clients could experience the full flow of the workspace as they moved through the building. They wanted their space to leave a lasting impression and reflect the professionalism of their business.

Designing for neurodiversity

Aurora needed their new space to be a haven for productivity so we used colour theory to inform our decision to create a calming and logical atmosphere. Teal and vibrant colours have been used in the main working areas to boost energy, while darker pastels were used in quiet zones as they are known to reduce stress and be calming, particularly for neurodiverse staff. Accent colours were incorporated into the collaboration and café spaces, adding a playful touch. Lighting was carefully selected to complement the design, with softer tones in certain areas and an emphasis on natural light to promote wellbeing.

We designed the café as a multifunctional space. It features bleacher seating for town hall meetings and can be adapted for events. The walnut timber acoustic wall serves as the café’s backdrop, adding warmth and elegance to the space. This timber feature was echoed in the collaborative areas, creating cohesion throughout.

Prioritising sustainability

Sustainability was a key focus. We reused around 50% of the furniture from Aurora’s previous office, and selected acoustic materials made from recycled PVC, along with finishes derived from recycled ocean plastics. Exposed ceilings have been maintained to maximise height and create a relaxed, non-corporate atmosphere.

Hub for collaboration and growth

Aurora was thrilled with the finished space. The new office has created a more dynamic, collaborative environment that supports both their current needs and future growth. The café space has become the heart of the office and encourages a stronger social culture and encourages a sense of community from within.

The introduction of quiet zones and collaborative areas allows teams to work more effectively, while the improved meeting rooms enable smoother online collaboration with their international offices.

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