MER – Stockholm Offices
MER has developed a new office environment for its Swedish office design consultancy located in Stockholm.
The office is becoming increasingly important to companies’ identities. It is in the walls and interior fittings, functions and ways of working. So, what happens when architects rebuild their own office?
“We built an office lab to try out new ideas,” says Cecilia Bejdén, CEO of the architect and consultancy company MER.
Those who want to keep abreast of office developments should of course look at the architects’ own office. MER has just opened the doors to its new office lab in Münchenbryggeriet (The Brewery) in Söder Mälarstrand, where its closest neighbours are Skype, Filippa K and the Royal Swedish Ballet School.
Office architects
MER specializes solely in creating and changing offices for Swedish and international companies. The architects’ own office offers the visitor an exciting journey of discovery among innovative solutions for a creative workplace.“The office is a strategic tool that modern companies take very seriously for their success in attracting the brightest staff and most interesting customers. This also applies to MER,” says CEO Cecilia Bejdén.
That’s why MER abandoned its previous minimalist decor and instead went all-in for architecture that raises eyebrows and provides experiences. Here, art and mirror walls are mixed with strict work cubicles and a cosy library. The handling of the material samples has been inspired by movement patterns in supermarkets.
Brand building
“The aim was to try out our own methods, test creative solutions and apply new research findings – in short, daily work for us. In MER’s office lab, we can continue to develop brand-building design and function,” says Cecilia.
MER’s office has long been activity based, a way of working that is chosen by many companies nowadays. But companies should know that the concept is not cast in a finished form but needs to be adapted to the activity and premises. MER’s consultants have extensive experience of developing and adapting ways of working for companies and authorities, including the Swedish Social Insurance Offices.
Activity-based offices
A common knotty question for activity-based offices is, for example, to make social and creative workplaces function alongside undisturbed workplaces in shared premises. MER’s office lab allows experiments to be conducted with flows, acoustics and light around workplaces, which will benefit customers in their projects.“Here, we can test and develop our own product,” concludes Cecilia.
Design: MER
Photography: Mårten Ryner
