Daimler China and We Impact joined forces to create a laboratory for technology innovation.

We spent a year working together to come up with solutions and new ideas for the future and how that could be integrated into the space, brand and strategy at the laboratory. Daimler wanted a lab where the newly hired innovation team could share ideas and brainstorm solutions.

To make this happen, We Impact designed an inspiring and unique space to spark creativity and teamwork. We worked with the client to fully understand their wishes and ambitions of how the space would look like. Working together, we were able to encourage and achieve thinking outside the corporate limitations in terms of suppliers, policies and general practice.

In helping the IT team create these shared ambitions, this became the identity of the space:

Technology is a Positive force of change: We Impact developed a brand identity around ‘Techi’, an animated creature that can transform itself into any shape. The friendly and modern identity was developed specifically to consider the human element in the development of technology and the corresponding ethical values that surround innovation.

The Spirit of invention is passionate and active: We chose bold bright colours and allocated more room for each workspace, adding elements of play from swing chairs to ping pong tables, into each zone to foster the highly prized spirit of invention amongst the working teams there A space for Creative thought: through texture, furniture, decorations, nature and art, We Impact carefully designed the space to encourage the IT team to think laterally and trigger new ways of thinking.

A space that invites Expression and movement: instead of and office of cubicles, we created an open-plan space that can be moved and changed according to the needs and wishes of the people there. Team members are free to move, meet serendipitously and come together to brainstorm, discuss, present ideas and ask for opinions. Most of the walls are whiteboards and chalkboards, or have been treated for post-it’s to stick for longer because every idea and every brainstorm could be the next big thing.

A space where Change is normal. We made sure that the lay-out of the space could be changed and configured depending on the needs of the community, like having private meeting rooms that can be opened to become larger event spaces. The floor plan was designed in two integrated sections, public and private to allow for both privacy and also engaging audiences and entertaining guests.

A place to Share: Designed as a one-of-a-kind ecosystem that will lead to technology solutions that the company needs we needed to make sure it was as open as possible to share the work. To enhance engagement with other departments and enable collaboration we added in many aspects where visitors can interact with touch and learn more about the most exciting ideas and solutions.

Caring for the environment: Keeping true to the heart of our design values we created the space to have natural elements that inspire the community to think about the environment. This led to the addition of an air cleaning green wall and informed all material and supplier choices.