Design Republic has completed the office design for ?What If! Innovation, a business consulting firm located in New York City, New York.

What if innovation serves as a cutting edge company that helps their clients invent new businesses, product, brands and services. It was important when they moved from their Manhattan office to Brooklyn to relocate select elements which were either important visual elements or “office mascots” to ensure their identity from the previous office transitioned with them to their new space.

With their new Industry City location, Design Republic wanted to highlight many of the existing elements within the space as possible including the original wood factory flooring complete with paint stains and reusing the original industrial metal door. We also tried to work with as many local vendors as possible, working with a local metal shop for the office fronts, which they welded together and finished on site, as well as using flavor paper, a wall covering vendor located in industry city.

From the beginning, the focus was on creating flexible spaces for multiple uses with the ability to transition furniture for different uses and a variety of workspace to allow their employees a setting that works best for them and provides the greatest creativity. Since there are no assigned seating or desks, the working spaces need to accommodate any employee.

Design Republic minimized the walls within the space to maximize flexibility on how they work. Also to allow for the greatest access to the view since their space is located on the top floor. A good portion of the walls they do have are writable and pinnable to allow for creativity. One of the more important space would be the large breakout space which can be closed off with garage doors for large meetings and client sessions. When not in use for meetings, this serves as a work space. Additionally, Design Republic included a variety of plants to bring greenery into the space, but to also aid in sectioning off areas within the open environment, allowing for “separate” or “private” work areas.

Design: Design Republic

Contractor: SPK Lewis

Photography: Richard Cadan

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