Boncom is a full-service advertising agency, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, that specializes in bridging the gap between belief and behavior through advertising, experience design, branding, and behavioral psychology. The company experienced rapid growth in the last couple of years and quickly outgrew their portion of a downtown office tower. FFKR took their previous “undefined”office space -meaning that the area didn’t represent their character or ideals – and created a work environment that told the story of who they are and what they offer, through an aesthetic that is different than anything the city currently has to offer with a mood and feel of a home away from home.
We partnered with Boncom to provide a neutral canvas and backdrop for them to execute their work. Implementing the critical elements of teamwork and collaboration, was integral to the design flow of the office. Great care was taken to keep the proximity of a team leader’s office with the team pods – of open co-working spaces – so to promote direct communication and coordination. Another objective was flexibility – because of the nature of advertising, the project scopes and team configurations are constantly changing, so one selected piece of furniture, gave each employee a mobile pod for all their belongings to conveniently be stored and moved when they are reassigned.
The office includes multiple open lounge areas in various types from collaboration spaces to conference rooms and smaller phone booths available for the individual or team. The breakroom was moved from the dark core of the building to a prime corner location with a 90-degree view and direct outdoor roof deck access. This space is not just for eating purposes but includes flexible space and a range of seating for impromptu gatherings.
Space Defined
Boncom felt that the services they were providing were bigger and broader than what the local advertising market was offering. They desired a space that told the story of who they are and what they offer with the mood and feel of a home away from home, through an aesthetic that is different than anything the city currently had to offer.
Salt Lake City Views
Another key requested element to the space was the use of natural light. We were able to put all the open office spaces and team leader/private offices on the perimeter with the secondary supporting spaces in the core of the floor, capitalizing on the natural light and views of the downtown skyline. Every work surface and client is adjacent to or has direct access to experience the approachable Salt Lake City view.
Flexible Spaces
With the creation of multiple open lounge areas, collaboration spaces, conference rooms, and smaller phone booths, there are multiple types and sizes of spaces available for individual and communication styles.
Work and Play
Blending work and play can transform a workplace, and a touch of humor can go a long way. Engaged employees usually feel that their professional lives are enjoyable, find happiness in their vocation, and have fun being great at what they do. To engaged employees, the lines between work and play are blurred.
Work Identity
Team work and collaboration are key elements to Boncom’s work identity and delivery goals, and as such were integral to the design flow of the office. Great care was made to keep the proximity of team leaders, in glass offices, to the team pods gathered around the perimeter of the floor, in open office co-working spaces, to promote direct communication and coordination. The team pods were complimented with actual collaborative “war rooms” to allow for larger team charrettes and meetings.
Experience Design
We worked to provide, in partnership with their vision, a backdrop – a neutral canvas – for them to execute their work. This was the beginning frame work of the “experience design” that would be palpable for each client through the creation process.
Catered Needs
It is also important for Boncom that staff are comfortable and have everything they need to succeed. One way they do this is to provide a pantry, fridge and freezer stocked with free food, and a Coke Free machine. Other catered food is often brought in. Not only does this raise company morale, but it has a tendency to keep staff around longer working with their important clients.
Expandable Rooms
This space provides a range of seating but was specifically designed to meet the needs of small impromptu meetings, and companywide staff meetings. This expansion is made possible with movable glass walls.