Customer Case Study:
Dun & Bradstreet – Transforming Workspace / Empowering Teams

In the bustling heart of Helsinki, Dun & Bradstreet embarked on a mission to create a new workspace. Their Country Manager envisioned a workplace that not only aligned with the company's ethos but also inspired its team members and set a new course for the organisation's future in Finland. The project began with recognizing the challenges of their previous office in Vallila: diminished inspiration, underutilised space, and a location that didn't reflect the company's stature.

Vision for Change
Realising the potential for a dramatic change, their local leadership team planned a shift to a smaller, more effective and strategically located office. The space would serve as a magnet for new talent and an inspiration for the current team. Inspired by global Dun & Bradstreet spaces, the leadership team sought to create an office that mirrored excellence in both design and working environment.

The Collaboration Journey
Collaboration was at the heart of this transformation. The project was orchestrated with four key roles: The local leadership team, Dun and Bradstreet's global team, local CBRE project management team and Itu Design as workplace designers.

The local leadership team coordinated project objectives. The global team contributed expertise in branding, security, IT, AV, and project management, ensuring a seamless integration of local needs with global standards. Itu Design interpreted both global and local needs into a comprehensive design concept, and the committed local project management team from CBRE coordinated all details with the property management and construction team.

"The collaboration with Robin and the Itu Design team was seamless.

Together we created a modern, serene environment that resonates positively with our employees."

Jarkko Heinonen
Commercial Director, Dun & Bradstreet

Nature-Inspired Serenity
Whilst reflecting the organisation's global brand, the office was planned to embody it's unique location. A testament to Finland's natural beauty, the new office embraced a nature-inspired colour pallet and materials, with captivating images of Finnish forests adorning the walls.

Sustainability & Enhanced Features
With better environmental controls, brighter and higher spaces, amazing views, and enhanced acoustics, the workspace became a haven of productivity. Sustainable features, from ecological building standards to energy-efficient design, added an extra layer of conscientiousness. There are many ecological benefits: the best public transport connections reduce car journeys, the modern office building is efficient to heat and cool, and a smaller space reduces the company's footprint both literally and ecologically.

Positive Impact & Optimism

Engaging employees was at the heart of the project. Surveys early in the process captured the employees' hopes, with workshops and information sessions throughout the design phases ensured the whole team were involved throughout. And early feedback paints a positive picture. Active open-plan spaces buzz with energy, while calm meeting rooms provide isolated havens. A lively central lounge area serves to both welcome visitors and acts as the heart of the organisation in Finland: a meeting place for social occasions, backdrop for collaborative work and an event space.

Stepping Forward
This transformation illustrates not only the evolution of a workspace but also the power of holistic planning – the office relocation project to implement strategic change. Dun & Bradstreet now occupy a space that provides the team with an environment that mirrors their values and inspires greatness. And by switching to a more efficient premise, they achieved a high quality central location, making Dun & Bradstreet part of a trend of smaller, better offices. As they step into this new chapter, optimism for the future can be felt in this innovative, nature-inspired workspace.

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About the Author

I'm Robin Wycherley, Interior Architect and founder of Itu Design. I've lead a small team of expert designers here in Helsinki for over ten years. I'm responsible for creative design, coordination and communication, and I'm present in all our projects from beginning to end.