FORM & FUNCTION
Work & Co is one of the world's most admired digital design and technology companies. Known for its partnerships with clients like Apple, IKEA, Aesop, Google and Mercedes, the global firm recently opened a new and expanded Copenhagen office. We spoke to Office Manager Louise Benfeldt to go behind the scenes on creating the perfect place for team members to work.
What was important in designing your new office?
We have offices in Brooklyn, Portland, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Belgrade —and each reflects the city and country in which they are located, embracing the design characteristics of their specific location. For our Copenhagen office we felt it was important to incorporate Scandinavian aesthetics and expressions, but also very important for us to create a warm and welcoming space. We partnered with local firm Aspekt Office to strategize and achieve the office design.
How do you think the office affects your solutions?
While we create digital interfaces like websites, apps, and ecommerce platforms, our team often finds inspiration in other forms of design — architecture, identity and print. It follows that we think it’s critical that the office spaces in which we gather are ones we look forward to coming to and feel inspired by. While we’ve all adapted to a remote working environment over the past year, the pandemic has reinforced how much our team craves and values in-person collaboration. I believe that more than ever, having a flexible-use, beautiful, yet highly functional office space like this —surrounded by good colleagues— will help everyone do their best work.
Form or function, where are you on that spectrum?
These two need to go hand in hand for the best result. That’s true in digital design as well as in designing a new office.
How does sustainability fit into the new office?
It is the only way to go. When managing and maintaining the office we always choose vendors, solutions, and products with care. Virtually all the furniture in the office is made from solid wood — we do our best to opt for renewable resources — and the kitchen table top is actually made from a single tree. And we bought our Børge Morgensen sofa secondhand.
At Work & Co we’re committed to asking our vendors about their practices as well; having shared values going into a project like an office redesign is really important. The choice of getting our coffee from Damn Good Coffee Company is because we care about more than just a tasty cup of coffee. We truly believe in and want to support the “no waste” philosophy behind your company.
Finally, how do you drink your coffee?
At first our espresso machine was the main attraction in the kitchen. But the drip coffee has been growing on all of us in the office. Personally I prefer mine with a bit of milk. I also feel a bit spoiled drinking my everyday office coffee from a textured Hasami Porcelain cup. It’s the best.
Photo credit: Rasmus Dengsøe
Office Design: Aspekt Office