MCS has coached Delaware during this search, by supporting them both in the negotiations with the owner and broker of the building as well as in designing the layout and interior in accordance with the concept of “working differently”. “MCS perfectly felt the equilibrium between the functional user requirements and the artistic side of the architect. MCS dares to question prices, customs and contractors”, according to Jan Vets, managing partner at Delaware

During both the search for a location and the negotiations with the different stakeholders and the layout the five points of interest mentioned below were very important to Delaware.

The location and the layout should reflect the Delaware culture, values and standards. You don’t get a second chance to make a good impression. On the one hand Delaware had high expectations about transparency, flexibility, reliability, professionalism and creativity, which are part of the Delaware identity and image. On the other hand the office had to emanate the ‘new office’, representing a nice place to work that functionally supports the different activities of the several (inter)national employees. On location you work in a flexible way and rather activity-related than person-related. Visitors are received in polyvalent spaces.

All this can be seen in the use of colours and durable materials, reflecting the Delaware culture. An important factor is the integrated office concept where space usage, communication plan, technology and structure enhance each other. The clean desk principle is used and high-quality technologies allow for flexibility, international cooperation and cost efficiency (virtual, wireless, video conferencing, office communication systems, …). Only this way you get a concept that supports the needs concerning the organization’s whole life cycle. MCS aims to analyze and design according to a strict budget and clear deadline, together with the customer, from an innovative strategy.

The challenge was however twofold; on the one hand there was the physical situation, i.e. the use of two separate floors within the same building (5th and 1st floors) and on the other hand the possible polarization of SAP and Microsoft. In this concept the solution was to extend the branding, but to give it a different interpretation on the two floors. The upper floor is rather a quiet space for concentration work, trainings (thanks to the flexibility up to 100 people) and long term project work. The lower floor offers another atmosphere and varies between the visitor center, several meeting rooms, formal and informal workplaces and spaces. By decorating the interior with creative work of Delaware employees, a home-like environment was created and a personal touch was introduced.

“The most important advantages are an efficient space management, increased (informal) information sharing, reduced vacancy. The Antwerp office is no longer considered as the ‘little sibling’ of the Kortrijk main office. The new office is a full international operating base that perfectly supports Delaware and where you can always experience something”, according to Jan Vets.