Globally headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, the “World of Sports”, the athletic brand adidas has over 57,000 people employed around the world that the average age is 31.
Sport plays an increasingly important role in more and more people’s lives, on and off the field of play. Sport is central to every culture and society and is core to an individual’s health and happiness. Adidas is a brand that believe they have the power to change lives through sport.
When adidas partnered with SPARK Design Group for their APAC Headquarters in Shanghai in 2018, their aspirations were progressive yet simple. Adidas as pioneers and industry leaders need to create a workplace with a design that fosters creativity, teamwork and well being.
SPARK’s aspiration was to design a facility that caters for a full customer and employee experience which translates the brand qualities into tangible interactions. This ‘Experience Design’ helps to choreograph moments so that the overall experience of a brand can generate a coherent set of impressions for both guests and adidas staff alike.
A key focus on elevating the brand across the region was adopted here, not only because the site is the regional headquarters but because Shanghai is a sport and fashion intersection that resonates with the essence of the adidas brand.
The concept of ‘Creating the New’ was distilled into Art, Design, Science and Humanity to help refine the key narrative. It is a fresh mix of continuous movement and evolution whilst honouring the inspiration of the past to create the future.
In order to achieve this, SPARK harnessed a world class digital landscape and variety of furniture settings, fit for purpose to portray a culture and values specific workplace.
Mobility profiles of the end users were determined early on in the process in order to create a variety of environments for the occupants. This ensured they had access to spaces to perform tasks appropriate to their job function and also unique adaptable spaces for project or seasonal campaigns.
Mobility profiles of the end users were determined early on in the process in order to create a variety of environments for the occupants. This ensured they had access to spaces to perform tasks appropriate to their job function and also unique adaptable spaces for project or seasonal campaigns.
M-SPACE, selected as one of the key furniture partners to support adidas APAC Headquarters, spent nearly a year communicating and working with both Adidas and SPARK team to provide the best furniture setting with Herman Miller solutions to achieve the brand culture, aesthetic spirit and values of Adidas.
A combination of height-adjustable desk Ratio system and fixed height desk Optimis system creates an office landscape with more depth and volume, meeting end user needs and design intent. Typical office space was carefully balanced with collaborative spaces to integrate teams and increase interaction and creativity. Each floor has a unique colour scheme to provide a point of difference for the overall workplace typography.
A combination of height-adjustable desk Ratio system and fixed height desk Optimis system creates an office landscape with more depth and volume, meeting end user needs and design intent. Typical office space was carefully balanced with collaborative spaces to integrate teams and increase interaction and creativity. Each floor has a unique colour scheme to provide a point of difference for the overall workplace typography.
The end result was a facility that encourages better work habits, profitable ideas and a tool for talent retention and mentoring.
Project: ADIDAS Asia Pacific Headquarters
Location: Shanghai
Design: SPARK Design Group
enquiries@sparkdesigngroup.com.cn
Scale: 26,000 sqm
Completion: December 2018
