BBO
Client: BBO
Workplace design
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Year of completion: 2016
Photography: Esa Kapila
2016
BBO or Better Business Office is a small marketing consultancy based in Helsinki. BBO was facing a structural renovation in its old, dearly-loved location, and decided to optimize their circumstances with a redesign. The centrally-located, beautiful building their office is in was built in 1889. BBO differentiates itself by having long personal relationships with its clients and thus, clients feel like family and the office is like a home to invite them to.
The office's look was inspired by the historical architecture of the building and the creative people who work at BBO. The design project tackled two core themes: Firstly, the office interior design concept needed to be homey and inviting, yet still unique and edgy. Secondly, the functional layout of the office had to be tailored around the apartment's historical rooms.
BBO's office was designed to be a mix of old and new, embodied by the eye-catching "Happy Hour" neon sign hanging over the nearly 130 year old fireplace. The sign tempts the BBO family to relax with a drink from the bar. Because of our focus on interesting details, we designed custom-made elements such as the coloured glass mirrors in the dining room. We also pimped some IKEA cupboards in the bathrooms to give them some extra spirit.
Working in a relatively small office, employees need space for privacy. To solve this, we created a custom-built phone booth inside an old closet. There also needs to be space for interaction, such as the brass high table in the dining room for shared lunches and dinners. Other spaces are multifunctional, to suit their constantly changing needs.
Photos by Esa Kapila
Designed in collaboration with Roosa Riski