The design of the Beonit space by 2BOLD was inspired by the hidden messages of Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince story.
Beonit has shaken up conventional outsourcing. Their innovative proposal consists of transforming the traditional Business Process Outsourcing model into Business Talent Outsourcing®.
This disruptive approach required an according space that enhanced their experience, this is why, during a deep co-design process with their team, 2BOLD came to materialize this proposal for their headquarters in Madrid.
Their motto ‘The essential is invisible to the eyes’ was the cornerstone on which the whole experience was focused. Designed as a self-discovery journey in which the candidates embark along with a recruiter-fellow, the key objective is to expand their professional horizon and make the most out of their capabilities and wills.
The story of The Little Prince accompanies the candidate in the discovery experience, with hidden nods along the path that make the story present all around. These invite us to reflect whilst generating a memorable experience through the iconic milestones.
The space is conformed as a succession of wrapping atmospheres, each inspired by a hidden message of Saint-Exupéry’s story, and meant to transmit them to the users. Feelings of safety, warmth, joy and fun, are evoked through a striking look and feel that won’t leave anyone indifferent.
Because an experience that sticks to our memory will remain within us all the journey long.
When was the project completed?
October, 2020
How many SF per person?
63.5 SF/person
How many employees work here?
There are 50 assigned desks + 12 flex desks at this floor.
What is average daily population?
Due to the COVID pandemic, around 12 people per day.
Is there a remote work or work from home policy? If so, what percent of employees are remote workers?
Before COVID pandemic bloomed, everyone in the company did already work from home 1 day per week. Nowadays most people work remotely most of the time due to capacity limitations, but the shift has been easy since the team was already used to WFH tools and protocols.
Describe the work space type.
Open Plan
What kind of meeting spaces are provided?
- 1 board room
- 3 booths for virtual interviews / or 1 to 1 meetings
- 1 gaming room for interviews (enclosed in former server room)
- 1 living room for interviews
- 1 bar for interviews
What other kinds of support or amenity spaces are provided?
- The gaming room can also be used by employees when free of interviews.
- The bar can also be used for events.
- The living room can also be used by employees when free of interviews.
- The main recruiting space can be reconfigured to host internal events and team dynamics.
What is the projects location and proximity to public transportation and/or other amenities?
It is based in Cuzco area, a business environment located in Northern Madrid Metropolitan Area.
This area is characterized by its really good connection with the rest of the city, and its easy access from main roads entering Madrid.
Due to the main activity of the area, plenty of restaurants and hotels are set in the surroundings.
How is the space changing/adapting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Some protocols have been activated regarding social distancing:
- implementation of shift planning, with reduction of work capacity (up to 25%)
- increase of scheduled cleaning services
- signage with specific hygienic guidelines
- placement of hydroalcoholic gel dispensers in several points of the office, including meeting rooms
- windows open for natural ventilation all day long
- limited capacity in canteen, including lunch shifts to minimize crowds
- occupancy of desks in the shape of checkerboard, such as to guarantee safety distancing
- FPP2 masks available for everyone attending the space (since their use is compulsory at any time in the office).
Was the C-suite involved in the project planning and design process? If so, how?
Yes. Weekly meetings were developed for co-design (first 4 weeks) and fine-tuning of the proposal (last 4 weeks).
Were any pre-planning surveys conducted to get employee input?
Not regarding the global team, but some of its members were involved in the co-design process (Office Manager, Sales & Organization, CMO and Talent Attraction).
Were any change management initiatives employed?
Switching to an open-space layout, a clean-desk policy was implemented, to facilitate keeping a tidy environment.
Besides this, and in order to boost teamwork, a calendar was developed in order to look after the green clusters in the space and water them.
Also, a guidance use was set in every room, and each common space was included in a calendar, such as to facilitate and maximize their usage.
Please describe any program requirements that were unique or required any special research or design requirements.
The space main purpose is to develop interviews to candidates for Talent Outsourcing. Due to this, and following the Beonit disruptive proposal and DNA, the visitors’ experience was carefully handcrafted.
From the reception area (which will play each candidate’s favorite song whilst they wait), to the non-conventional interview-areas (shaped as homey and chill environments rather than corporate meeting rooms).
Was there any emphasis or requirements on programming for health and wellbeing initiatives for employees?
- Greenery in the Beonit project was a must. It was included in the shape of eight big custom-made pots on wheels. Each of them includes light bubbles that symbolize each member of the team.
- Chill areas: gaming room, bar area.
- Community builders: team wall (with polaroid pictures of team), team library (including books to share brought by employees themselves).
- An inspiring environment was also a must, this is why evocative sentences are vinyled over the space.
Were there any special or unusual construction materials or techniques employed in the project?
A little after the kick-off of the Beonit project, COVID pandemic bloomed. This was quite relevant when defining the design, since most of the solutions were proposed having in mind users’ security, favoring hygienic measures and social distancing.
This led to the choice of vinyl flooring by Forbo as the main material (which shapes every atmosphere in the project). It was included on most flooring of the intervened area, as well as a finishing for existing built-in furniture.
The chosen products (Sphera Evolution & Sphera Energetic) do not only add character, but also perform with really high standards in demanding hygienic healthcare environments.
The interesting finishings (which led to a dreamy atmosphere) and the wide color palette, linked to its technical characteristics, made it just a perfect match for our needs.
For specific examples, please describe the product, how it was used, and if it solved any specific problem.
Forbo Flooring was not only used for its main purpose, but also applied on existing countertops of the space (AC system).
This way, the preexisting did better integrate with the new intervention, whilst generating a wrapping atmosphere.
The former server had to be kept at the space even though it’s not working at the moment. Therefore, it was wrapped with translucent methacrylate and LED stripes, turning it into a light totem.
What products or service solutions are making the biggest impact in your space?
- Forbo Flooring
- Furniture by Forma 5
- Dibond Butlerfinish & Dibond Mirror, by 3A Composites GmbH
- Tiling by Equipe Cerámicas
- Methacrylate by Irpen SAU
What kind of branding elements were incorporated into the design?
The whole experience was designed as a translation of the brand DNA.
Their motto (‘The essential is invisible to the eyes’) was the cornerstone on which the project grew.
Being their main goal to help their candidates discover and boost the hidden forces within them, the project is configured in the way of an inner journey towards self-discovery.
Based on Saint Exupery’s book, The Little Prince, small messages talk to the user over the space, inducing her/him to think, whilst transmitting Beonit’s core values.
Some tangible features are:
- Backlit logo at entrance.
- Small vinyl messages spread over the space explaining the journey.
- Space configured as a transition of colors/emotional landscapes (similarly to their logo).
- Yellow scarf hanging on the board room, such as a discreet remembrance of The Little Prince.
- Chairs of employees organized following the logo’s color palette.
What is the most unique feature of the space?
The interview spaces for candidates are nothing but conventional. The usual interview rooms (with a table and chairs, resembling a meeting room) were substituted by:
- a living room
- a bar
- an IT museum
Iconic elements are spread over the Beonit space, triggering conversation and boosting imagination. All of them have an underlying meaning that can either be explained as part of the storytelling, or just be assumed as part of the look and feel.
- A unicorn entering the office through a wall (a unicorn is considered a rare profile of candidate that meets a wide variety of soft and hard skills, matches a company’s culture easily and favors collaboration and creativity. Summarizing: the ideal candidate).
- A brushed metal wall with a wall-mounted mirror resembles the process of inner search (with a blurry reflection) that leads towards self-discovery.
Are there any furnishings or spaces specifically included to promote wellness/wellbeing?
Yes. All the interview spaces are meant to boost both wellness and wellbeing.
- The former server room turned into an IT museum meant to host interviews for IT profiles, but can also be used as a gaming room by employees.
- The sofa-area becomes a living room for the team when there are no interviews going on. Etc.
- Plant pots on wheels help re-configuring the space and can be moved in order to make more room for internal events and team dynamics.
How did the company communicate the changes and moves?
Over three days, each member of the Beonit team was appointed to go on his own and had a personalized presentation of the space:
Replicating the experience candidates will have at the office, a guide would receive them one by one and give them a tour, explaining the overall concept and unveiling the story behind each feature.
Were there post occupancy surveys? What were the most surprising or illuminating or hoped-for results?
The post occupancy surveys are ongoing.
The open-space layout has helped turning everyone more available somehow, what’s also led to a better team culture. Besides this, the big amount of handy common spaces and meeting rooms has led to a better connection between team members and boosted collaboration through departments.
Regarding meeting rooms usage rules, team members have become more respectful with timings and meetings have turned more efficient, since they do not extend further than scheduled. Overall, the team has gained ownership of the space, and an increase of engagement has been visible. The cozy environment has had an intangible impact on wellbeing, since -regarding Beonit words-, they can see how mood has improved amongst team members when facing the idea of attending the office.
If change management program was in place, what were the most successful strategies?
Everyone attending the office -from team members to candidates and clients- is pleasantly surprised by the unexpected environment and the clear message of the space.
Beonit core team highlights they can see how this new HQ have helped positioning the company, since every aspect of the space reinforces now their brand core values and internal culture.
They have finally managed to make their philosophy visual, tangible. They have managed to turn it into an experience.
Who else contributed significantly to this project?
- Architects: 2BOLD
- Contractor: VISTTO
- Custom lighting production: Goodwork Int
- Fabrics: Candelas & La Tapicera
- Fine tuning: Viuda de Ramírez
- Image credit: Víctor de la Fuente
