Tengbom has recently completed an innovative, post-pandemic office for EY's brand new LEED Platinum headquarters in Stockholm. The new office promotes health, creativity and interaction and offers the best of both worlds: the comfort of home and the cutting-edge functionality of the workplace. The post-pandemic workplace Work from home or feel at home in the office? Developments in recent years – not least the pandemic – indicate that we will do both alternatively. Employee expectations, values and attitudes have changed. Thus, to attract employees, talents, and clients back to the office, the workspace should communicate in a sort of visual shorthand that shows the company’s priorities and personality. Since digital meetings and remote work are here to stay, the office must play a greater role as a collective hub where company culture is formed. With the renewed purpose of the office as a space away from home to be collaborative and productive, design plays an important role in not only striking a balance between focus work and team projects but also in inspiring employees as they enter the space. Cutting-edge multifunctionality For EY, intent on building a better working world, and architecture practice Tengbom, these realizations were the starting point for the new EY headquarters in Stockholm: a contemporary and multifunctional office designed to attract and retain employees and customers. The office occupies four floors in a new building at the heart of Stockholm, with stunning views over the city. Multifunctional spaces allow for better use of a smaller footprint, in an activity-based working environment. The versatile work areas are divided into zones, which lets employees choose whether they want a quiet, focused place to work or interact with colleagues as and when they need to. The diversity of lounge areas plays an important part in promoting informal meetings and spontaneous interaction. For formal meetings the array of different types of meeting rooms are all set up for the most user-friendly digital meetings. Great emphasis has been put on ergonomics, lighting and cutting-edge technology. Healthy, sustainable and timeless The interior design concept of this LEED Platinum certified office has been developed to stand the test of time, while providing a comfortable and dynamic environment for its employees. The intent has been to create a living room experience with a great variety of spaces and details, reinforcing the health and social sustainability aspects that have become vital for post-pandemic offices. Attention to detail and quality is a constant throughout, with sustainable, natural materials that embrace timelessness and capture its surroundings – Stockholm, city of islands. A unique Stockholm experience While the new office is part of a larger international development strategy at EY – including new ways of working – the company wants each office to reflect the local experience. Stockholm is a city of opposites, and the design concept reflects the contrast between the urban cityscape and the natural landscape both visible through the large office windows. The island city is mirrored in the connecting by stairs modelled after the city’s bridges. The metal ceilings in copper tones are inspired by Stockholm’s idyllic sunsets. Additionally, Tengbom has designed an array of site-specific items of furniture such as rugs, tables, planters and signs that reinforce the concept of “Stockholm, city of islands”. Light, muted pastels and natural earth tones transport you from the heights of the southern city island of Södermalm to the uniquely rounded cliffs of the Stockholm Archipelago. Repurposing the office as a space for collaboration and creativity, Tengbom have created an office of the future with a strong local connection.