Northern Trust, a Chicago-based bank with a rich history spanning 130 years, recognized the need to adapt to changing workforce demographics and establish a new office in Pune, India. They faced the challenge of reimagining their work culture and consolidating diverse employees under a unified brand identity.

The goal was to create a workspace that would foster inclusivity, diversity, and innovation while meeting the needs of a changing workforce demographic. Additionally, Northern Trust sought to increase talent retention and productivity by designing a workspace that seamlessly integrated technology and promoted collaboration.

Space Matrix embarked on a comprehensive Workplace Strategy that aimed to understand the evolving needs of Northern Trust's workforce, processes, and technology. Through a combination of executive interviews, observations, surveys, and workshops, crucial insights were gathered, leading to the following design principles:

Cultural Shift: An open, collaborative workspace was needed to attract the new generation of workers who value flexibility and meaningful interactions.

Communal Aspect: Leveraging social interactions to foster learning, build trust, and facilitate information sharing among employees.

Team Interactions: Encouraging various types of interactions, both short-term and long-term, within and beyond workspaces to enhance collaboration.

Visual Connections: Promoting open views, minimal barriers, and proximity to previously distant teams to foster a sense of unity.

The design concept drew inspiration from the five senses—Sight, Smell, Touch, Taste, and Auditory—to create an experiential journey for employees and visitors alike.

Sight: Spaces were designed with varying hues to trigger energy and focus, while also considering colour blindness to ensure inclusivity.

Smell: Olfactory cues, such as fragrances and smells like coffee, were strategically incorporated to enhance the mood of each zone and elevate the work experience.

Touch: Tactile experiences through carefully chosen materials and textures created connections that transcended physical boundaries, embracing diversity.

Taste: Food and beverage zones were strategically positioned to fuel interactions, enhance well-being, and create a sense of community.

Auditory: Different acoustic zones catered to varying levels of privacy, enabling efficient communication and collaboration.

The design evolved from an impressive entrance that established brand identity to self-sufficient neighbourhoods fostering collaboration. Swing zones offered diverse workspaces for a dynamic workday, while agile workstations with height adjustability catered to individual work preferences. HR experience zones and the innovative NT University addressed specific needs like recruitment, interviews, and training. The Innovation Lab facilitated flexible collaboration, enhancing creative problem-solving.

Northern Trust's workspace transformation materialised into a narrative-driven, sensory-rich environment that exemplified their values and ethos. The immersive experience offered by the designed workspace not only aligned with Northern Trust's culture and vision but also served as a dynamic recruitment tool, engaging potential employees.

The successful evolution of Northern Trust's workspace from a traditional bank to a modern, sensory-infused environment reflects the organisation's commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and employee well-being. Space Matrix's innovative design, rooted in the five senses, not only aligned with Northern Trust's culture but also activated and communicated it effectively, fostering collaboration and enhancing the overall employee experience.

The end result is a workspace that instils a sense of pride, belonging, and connection among employees while amplifying Northern Trust's ethos and brand. By leveraging workplace design as a catalyst for positive change, Northern Trust has created an environment that makes work a truly fulfilling and inspiring experience.