The organisation builds relationships among innovators, investors, and industry partners across the Alliance. All of this work is in support of nine key emerging and disruptive technologies: biotechnology, hypersonic, space, novel materials and manufacturing, and energy and propulsion.

An innovation accelerator with big goals needed a headquarters that could keep up.

Reflecting a commitment to excellence and innovation with design

Concept4 – a Bristol-based studio that provides creative office design, office fit-outs, furniture solutions, and workplace consultancy – partnered with MillerKnoll to design DIANA’s new headquarters on Imperial College’s campus in White City, London. The space occupies 1,109 square meters of the 10th floor.

Top drivers for the project included:

• Fostering an innovative and dynamic work environment

• Enhancing opportunities for collaboration through open, flexible spaces that encourage teamwork and idea-sharing

• Attracting and retaining top talent

• Supporting workplace wellbeing

• Embodying the organisation’s brand culture by creating a space that reflect its values, vision, and commitment to excellence and innovation

Achieving these goals necessitated a state-of-the-art facility.

Balancing collaboration with privacy

The organisations in the accelerator occupy half of the floor, and NATO, which oversees the programme, uses the other. On the accelerator side, collaboration was key.

“We wanted areas people could converge around, share ideas, connect with each other – but that could also be used as a place to focus away from your desk,” says Concept4’s Naomi Ripley, Lead Designer on the project.

The team chose the OE1 Huddle Table from Herman Miller and paired it with the brand’s Setu Chairs to create a space that could enable quick collaboration in the open office environment with Hue Seating from NaughtOne nearby. All areas need a heightened level of flexibility and to be able to pivot for visits from external companies. This includes the 33-seat board room, featuring Everywhere Tables from Herman Miller, which can be easily reconfigured, whether the space needs to serve as a training room, host a large meeting, or work as a particular project’s temporary home base.

A level of security is required on the NATO side and for the DIANA managing director’s office. “Plus, if you’ve got someone like the President of Estonia coming in, you need a space that’s going to feel comfortable and conducive,” Ripley says.

Concept4 selected Knoll’s private office solutions for the managing director’s space, ensuring both function and style. “It has a sleek modern design; the desk has adjustable height, ergonomic comfort – it’s ideal for a dynamic and productive workspace,” Ripley says. Also in the room is the Outline Sofa from Muuto upholstered in leather to create a distinct, refined look that effortlessly blends in and provides “aesthetic charm and comfort,” as Ripley put it.

The power of the collective

Andrew Woods, Project Director at Concept4, noted MillerKnoll’s commitment to sustainability, expertise in ergonomic design, and customisation options as key motivators for the partnership. “MillerKnoll aligned perfectly with the client’s goals to create a dynamic, collaborative, and appealing work environment.”

By specifying products from Herman Miller, Knoll, NaughtOne, Muuto, and Colebrook Bosson Saunders, Concept4 leveraged the breadth the collective offers.

“It made everything so much easier. We had one point of contact, and we could get access to a huge range of products,” Woods says.

The team selected ergonomic seating from Herman Miller (Cosm, Setu, Mirra 2, and Aeron Chairs), lounge seating from NaughtOne (Always Lounge Chair, Hush Sofa, Ever Sofa), storage from Knoll (Colourfold), and tables from Muuto (Around, Muuto Workshop). They also selected textiles from Maharam to complete the look.

“The feedback so far has been so positive around the seamless integration of innovative design elements and the ergonomic furniture,” Ripley says. “The client said there’s been significant boost to overall workplace morale.”

That praise was so high, that the design of the London hub will serve as a template for DIANA’s next two outposts in Halifax (Canada) and Tallinn (Estonia) – right down to the furniture from MillerKnoll brands.