The purpose of the Microsoft Innovation Centre was to locally fuel innovation. The client brief stressed that the design should reflect an environment to encourage creativity. The purpose of the Microsoft Innovation Centre was to locally fuel innovation. The client brief stressed that the design should reflect an environment to encourage creativity.

Since the Microsoft Innovation Centre is also an incubation space for start-ups, Microsoft’s objective was to offer a comfortable and flexible office. As a result the space had to be maximized to allow various star-ups to work concurrently within the premises while not infringing on each other’s work space. This meant a delicate balance of space design and function. Therefore the approach of the layout had to enable different activities. The design of the environment had to be dynamic and inspirational, so the use of form; shapes, and regular angled meeting rooms were planned to be running throughout the design.

There was also the need for training to be delivered through the Microsoft Innovation Centre in order to support local students and the local community.  This meant that the design needed to cater for an area specifically dedicated to this scope which at this same time offered comfort and flexibility. This was achieved though the implementation of design concepts such as moving walls for small and/or larger meeting rooms, training rooms, an open demo area with a coffee bar, and tables for informal meetings; all to encourage interaction to take place.

Likewise the rooms were aptly and appropriated named such as “The Incubator Room” for team work and collaboration, and “Labs” and “Phone Booths” for quieter reflective spaces.

Immediately upon entering the building there’s a sense of a professional work space, implemented through a white, light and clinical lab form of design. The entrance of the Microsoft Innovation Centre also boasts designed demo areas where visitors can view displays for new products. There is also a feel of innovation as from the entrance the demo area, training room and creative vistas of interesting graphics, colours and logos are all visible. At a distance new takes on the Microsoft brand can also be seen, from brand ideas to wallpaper icons, and logos in the background of the training room.

In conclusion the parameters set by the client were met with an exciting design space with state of the art technology; which centres on development with local business, research with university, has the space to support start-ups and encourage specific local projects.