DSD – Interior

Do​ ​Something​ ​Different​ ​(DSD)​ ​is​ ​a​ ​company​ ​offering​ ​businesses​ ​and​ ​the​ ​healthcare​ ​sector bespoke​ ​courses​ ​to​ ​help​ ​teams​ ​lead​ ​better,​ ​more​ ​productive,​ ​socially​ ​responsible​ ​lives,​ ​all backed​ ​by​ ​scientific​ ​research.​ ​After​ ​moving​ ​into​ ​their​ ​new​ ​home​ ​in​ ​a​ ​beautiful​ ​building​ ​in​ ​the bustling​ ​North​ ​Laines​ ​area​ ​of​ ​Brighton,​ ​DSD​ ​approached​ ​us​ ​to​ ​redesign​ ​the​ ​interior​ ​of​ ​their office​ ​space.

We​ ​worked​ ​in​ ​close​ ​collaboration​ ​with​ ​the​ ​client​ ​and​ ​their​ ​existing​ ​brand​ ​guidelines​ ​and​ ​were inspired​ ​by​ ​their​ ​pioneering​ ​actions​ ​towards​ ​improving​ ​wellbeing.​ ​We​ ​learned​ ​that​ ​an​ ​essential part​ ​of​ ​DSD’s​ ​philosophy​ ​is​ ​‘not​ ​cramming​ ​your​ ​head​ ​full​ ​of​ ​information’​ ​and​ ​knew​ ​it​ ​was​ ​vital their​ ​office​ ​environment​ ​reflected​ ​this.​ ​We​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​minimalist,​ ​yet​ ​warm​ ​and​ ​inviting space,​ ​and​ ​after​ ​reviewing​ ​how​ ​the​ ​modest​ ​sized​ ​office​ ​could​ ​be​ ​re-worked​ ​to​ ​its​ ​maximum potential​ ​we​ ​split​ ​the​ ​space​ ​into​ ​four​ ​areas:​ ​a​ ​welcome​ ​space,​ ​meeting​ ​room,​ ​brainstorm​ ​area and​ ​relaxing​ ​snug.

Having​ ​an​ ​acoustically​ ​sound​ ​space​ ​was​ ​of​ ​utmost​ ​importance​ ​to​ ​DSD.​ ​Organic,​ ​sustainably sourced​ ​and​ ​insulating,​ ​we​ ​designed​ ​and​ ​built​ ​desks​ ​made​ ​of​ ​high-density​ ​cork.​ ​The​ ​tactility and​ ​playful​ ​patterns​ ​of​ ​the​ ​cork​ ​desktops​ ​help​ ​visitors​ ​to​ ​turn​ ​off​ ​from​ ​autopilot.​ ​From​ ​a practical​ ​perspective,​ ​their​ ​light​ ​weight​ ​makes​ ​reconfiguring​ ​the​ ​desk​ ​arrangement​ ​quick​ ​and easy​ ​and​ ​cork’s​ ​impermeability​ ​means​ ​the​ ​desks​ ​are​ ​highly​ ​durable​ ​and​ ​easy​ ​to​ ​clean. Salvaged​ ​driftwood​ ​repurposed​ ​as​ ​seating​ ​enhance​ ​the​ ​organic​ ​and​ ​nurturing​ ​feel​ ​of​ ​the office,​ ​whilst​ ​oversized​ ​pegboards​ ​add​ ​to​ ​the​ ​playful​ ​atmosphere​ ​of​ ​the​ ​space,​ ​doubling​ ​up​ ​as moodboards​ ​and​ ​an​ ​adaptable​ ​modular​ ​shelving​ ​system.

With​ ​the​ ​eccentric​ ​charm​ ​of​ ​natural​ ​materials,​ ​the​ ​finished​ ​outcome​ ​was​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​functional office​ ​space​ ​full​ ​of​ ​playful​ ​energy​ ​that​ ​embodies​ ​DSD’s​ ​mission​ ​of​ ​helping​ ​people​ ​live​ ​happier and​ ​healthier​ ​lives.

The Ardour team worked side-by-side with us at every stage of the design. Carefully exploring and refining ideas that suited our space and also resonated with our beliefs as a business.
Colin Jenkinson

They went beyond the original brief, understood our needs and inspired us with some smart ideas. They created a bold space with plenty of character, function and eccentric charm. Perfect for us.
Colin Jenkinson