Evoteq Offices – Dubai
Roar were engaged by Evoteq, a technology company, to design their offices located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Office design has evolved over the last two decades, thanks in part to the metamorphosis of office culture that now encourages creativity and collaboration,” says Pallavi Dean, Founder and Creative Director at Roar. “With that in mind, the Roar team was thrilled to design digital disruptor Evoteq’s 3,230-square-foot working space in Downtown Dubai.”
Evoteq creates solutions that help companies accelerate their digital transformation, “We love hands-on clients and spent a lot of time with the Evoteq team to really understand what they wanted, how they worked, and what their days looked like. Top of mind was creating a truly flexible space that could be easily rearranged to host meetings, run workshops, or launch products. It was also important that furniture played the role of creative collaborator, inspiring engagement within the team.”
For design inspiration, the Roar team turned to the binary code, the numeral system made up of two numbers (usually 0 and 1) that computers use. “We asked ourselves, what would it look like to creatively interpret, and even disrupt, binary?” The answer was pairing angular shapes –representing the 1’s in binary – with circles, the 0’s. The design features a series of activity-based working spaces that are tied together to form one immersive and interactive office.
The shared CEO-COO office design highlights Evoteq’s corporate culture. “This isn’t a closed-off office. This space is accessible to everyone, highlighting their open-door communication policy.
We used a series of pivoting glass doors that can be left open most of the day, or closed for private discussions.” On the floor, herringbone-patterned wood inlays sit beside Volakas marble flooring, bringing warmth to the overall look. “One of my favourite features is the custom joinery behind the main desk,” Pallavi says. “Roar worked with an Ajman-based joiner on this project, with the large columns at the back clad in oak veneer.”
In the open-plan space, we used Tecno SpA desk systems paired with Steelcase Think chairs. “The organic forms work well with the circular work zones, pulling the interior architecture together.” On the ceiling, we created a playful suspended light sculpture using Vibia’s hanging HALO Lineal light the shapes paying subtle homage to the binary system.
A key element in this area is the floor. “When it comes to designing office interiors, aesthetics are important, but they aren’t everything,” Pallavi explains. “There are a lot of practical elements to take into account. For example, most of the flooring in the office space is marble. While that looks and feels gorgeous, we had to consider the role it played in terms of acoustics. With this in mind, we’ve used carpet and wood flooring as well as a series of rugs in the main work areas and meeting rooms.”
Providing a variety of workspaces was crucial to the design brief. “We created two lounge areas for spontaneous brainstorming sessions and informal meetings. In one of these spaces, set just off the busy main work floor, the Lapalma slatted screen offers a sense of privacy and enclosure,” Pallavi says. Just outside one of the meeting rooms, we also created a mini ‘social-media zone’, a space where Evoteq’s team members can step aside and update their Instagram, shoot out a message, or take a phone call.
The design also features a circular boardroom. “While this is a traditional meeting space in that it’s a place where people gather to talk, that’s where the tradition ends. We ditched the old-fashioned boardroom design, doing away with the ‘heads of the table’ and opting for a glass-encased circular space that nurtures the idea that everyone is equal. This room also features writable glass surfaces ideal for making notes, and boasts the best views of Burj Khalifa just across the road.”
Speaking of views, Pallavi says they played a starring role in this office’s design. “Sometimes, when you need inspiration, it’s great to get away from your desk, look outside, and clear your mind,” she explains. Roar designed a collaborative window-side work station to offer the Evoteq team that option. “This is an ideal deep-workspace, but it’s also a great hot desk for suppliers and sales staff who don’t necessarily need full-time spots, but just want to pop in and finish something.”
The office’s ceiling-suspended floating desk, featuring deep red Rosso Levanto marble, is also a key collaborative piece. “I love this table because of its dynamic nature. Take the chairs away, and it’s a stand-up meeting area. Spontaneously gather the team, and it’s a collaborative brainstorming spot. Throw a party, and it’s a DJ booth. Host an event, and it’s a buffet table. I enjoy the idea that a piece of furniture can take on so many roles.”
Today, to retain top talent, companies need to offer people experience-driven offices that foster collaboration and engagement. “It was always clear that Evoteq understood that to maintain a competitive edge it had to give its team a game-changing activity-based working space in which people were free to produce their best work,” Pallavi concludes.
Designer: Roar
Contractor: Optimize
Photography: Brett Turner
