“It’s all about turning on the senses at work, not turning them off,” says Il Prisma architect Elisabetta Pero. Il Prisma, a Steelcase distributor, undertook a unique research project which led to the design of LinkedIn offices in Milan, Munich, Paris and Madrid that engage the five senses — in order to boost employee wellbeing. Afterall, it’s through the five senses—sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch—that humans perceive the world.
Il Prisma undertook a scientific study to measure how the five senses within the workplace neurologically affect people. The research helped determine what fosters different states in the brain, specifically attention, focus, learning, evocative, simplicity and calm, which help people work better.
The firm found that rooms designed to stimulate the senses can have a positive or negative affect on a person depending on what kind of work they need to get done. For example, sensorial rooms improved people’s ability to learn and concentrate on individual tasks, but were not as ideal for group problem solving.
The conclusion from Il Prisma’s research on sensorial design in the workplace offers an important takeaway: Senses should be taken into account so workers can choose the environment that best suits their needs. Il Prisma used its research to design LinkedIn workplaces in Madrid, Munich, Milan and Paris. Each space includes personalized settings created specifically for the people who work there and for the kinds of work they will be doing.
LinkedIn Madrid and Munich
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The LinkedIn Madrid arrival area incorporates memories of the Spanish mountains into a conceptual ‘wood skin’ embracing the reception area.
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The sun is at the heart of Spanish culture leading to the concept for LinkedIn Madrid’s headquarters, "The working solar system."
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"The working solar system" concept in LinkedIn’s Madrid workplace is based on the culture’s approach to life, philosophy and behavior.
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Il Prisma describes Spanish culture as a mix of tradition and innovation, where conventional habits coexist with revolutionary ways of thinking about work.
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Everything in the Madrid workplace revolves around this area designed for socializing and sharing.
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The social space in Madrid allows people to get together as colleagues, but have fun as a family.
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The "Know to Transform" area in Madrid is inspired by the use of renewable energy.
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The design concept in Madrid focuses on employee wellbeing and the connections people need to make in order to do their best work.
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The “Know to Transform” areas in Madrid include meeting rooms for brainstorming, exploration and creation of new ideas.
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The LinkedIn Munich office was designed as "The DACH Gate" -- providing a framework for economic and cultural development.
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“The DACH Gate” is designed to attract people, find talent, and create energy.
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"The DACH Gate" aims to create excellence by exploring the cultural and economic aspects of the region.
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This lounge area is inspired by the mountain trails in Germany where stones and wood help create an intimate space.
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This waiting area includes an iconic mezzanine and a classic foyer inspired by classical music.
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These meeting rooms and relaxation areas are inspired by art galleries.
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All the spaces are organized around this area in LinkedIn’s Munich office inspired by nature.
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This area uses modern materials and forms to celebrate the technological spirit of the DACH region.
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The design of this area combines advanced research and innovation with the wild territory of the DACH region.
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This area is inspired by shapes, materials and a local line of watches.
At the Milan LinkedIn office, with an umbrella theme of transformation, the company used different rooms to represent five typical locations in Italy: a theater, a restaurant, a tailor’s shop, a cellar and a garden. In Paris, the LinkedIn office became the “Worksphere Ecosystem.” This metaphor reflects the global values of transformation, collaboration, excellence and the importance of every member, mixed with the local soul, pride, relationship, passion and love.
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Il Prisma used different rooms in the LinkedIn Milan workspace to represent five typical locations in Italy: a theater, a restaurant, a tailor’s shop, a cellar and a garden. The “Sensory Garden” was designed for informal meetings, brainstorming and relaxation.
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The “Theater” space in LinkedIn’s Milan workspace uses large wooden terraced steps in warm tones. It allows the company to share business results as well as games, passions and experiences.
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In the Milan Cellar, workers can drink a glass of wine while listening to music and cedar wood is present. The room is ideal for highly private meetings or intense moments of concentration.
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The “Restaurant” space in Milan is in line with the informal spirit of the Italian team. The work day often begins with breakfast and each break is an opportunity to re-energize and share ideas and projects.
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Several “Restaurant” settings such as a lounge, alcove and kitchen give the space flexibility and support different kinds of work.
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The arrival area for the LinkedIn office in Paris is designed to introduce and welcome visitors through an immersive brand experience that incorporates the soul of the region.
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This area in the Paris office celebrates the traditional French cafe as a place for conversation and free thought.
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In the LinkedIn Paris cafe, a sophisticated lounge area and library are combined with a welcoming breakout space dominated by a single central table dedicated to socializing.
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Every window in the "Détails de Style" area evokes a feeling of being immersed in the French world.
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The materials, colors and patterns in the "Détails de Style" area were chosen to recall the feeling of walking on a street filled with Parisian boutiques.
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This area is inspired by the essences and aromas of France. Glass walls and wooden pergolas recall the places where the French create their most exclusive fragrances and flavors.
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In this space, lights, colors and shapes introduce a way for people working there or visiting to know the city of Paris.
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This gathering area is inspired by French cinema, opera and theater. A modern projector and an angled seating area allows for meetings, screenings and informal events.
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This area is intended for relaxation and informal gatherings. It’s designed to celebrate multiculturalism in the different communities around Paris.
To read more about how Il Prisma conducted its research and its findings, read “Engaging the Five Senses” in 360 Magazine.
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