The DLA Piper office, designed by Dutch architecture firm Hofman Dujardin, has a carpet colour gradient that reflects and compensates for how much sunlight affects the space during a working day. The warm colours were used where there is the least sun and the cooler colours were used where there is the most. If you have ever worked in a large corporate office with kilometres of beige carpet and fluorescent lighting, this idea is just plain brilliant as it allows a cookie cutter office to become a happy, creative and stimulating workspace.

One of the biggest bonuses of this idea is that the gradient of colour becomes instant wayfinding. In large offices of this nature, you often find yourself turning corners that look identical and losing any sense of direction. That certainly wouldn’t happen this office! (I imagine something like, “Let’s meet in Fred’s office. He’s in purple.”) What I also love about this design is that it is bright but not over-the-top. By using white and neutral furniture and accessories, each office space remains sophisticated and modern. The carpet is glowing bright from below but the eye won’t become tired or overwhelmed by red walls or a yellow desk. I know this vibrancy of colour is unthinkable for most of the corporate world but I would love to see workspaces use colour more. Particularly in offices where windows are at a premium, colour can improve moods, stimulate creativity and create a distinct and easy to navigate space.

(images via 2modern)