Hear from the designer in the episode below for more in-depth project stories!

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Hear from the designer in the episode below for more in-depth project stories! -

Throughout the office, circulation flow is guided by ship-like architectural curves, the most prominent of which greets entrants at reception with a two-toned European Oak plank wall inspired by industrial vessel waterlines.
Photo Credit: flaunt boston

When Veson Nautical asked CBT to design their new workplace and guide the selection of a new office location, the designers proposed that the work begin with CBT’s two-day VisionLab process. Led by Kenneth, Jan, and CBT’s Director of Interior Design, Lois Goodell, this workshop engaged over 20 staff members from all levels of the company. A curated exploration of Veson’s vision for their new workplace, it was instrumental in navigating the way to today’s high functioning, aesthetically inspiring workplace.

Inspired by navigation charts of Boston Harbor, a custom wallcovering created by CBT’s environmental graphics team graces the feature wall in Veson’s flexible café and gathering space.
Photo credit: flaunt boston

With the move from Veson’s former digs to the bold and industrial Innovation and Design Building in Boston’s Seaport, came the desire for a fresh interpretation of the maritime company’s branded work environment, revisiting and refining it for a more attuned aesthetic. Veson’s former workplace had showcased the company’s sea-going focus in a direct, literal way. The brand’s colors—blue and orange—were prominent. As CBT’s design process uncovered, the Veson team needed and wanted a visually and spatially calm environment to support focus-driven work and effective collaboration.

Technology-equipped “porthole” booths lined in ribbed acoustic felt and an ombré wallcovering backdrop meant to mimic the horizon, offers an ideal spot for focused work.
Photo credit: flaunt boston

Kenneth deconstructs the visioning process, “We know we need to ask five versions of a question before the one real answer emerges. That answer will guide a meaningful design response.”
Gently persistent, the process revealed integral design-direction discoveries. Kenneth shares an important example, “when our VisionLab participants had a negative response to images of interior environments with high contrast, we asked why—a lot. Each time we asked, we got closer to something important, a truth about what this team of people really needed. We ultimately uncovered that—from software engineers to the product developers to the marketing team—everyone needed an environment that supported strong focus. This was at the heart of their thumbs-down responses to heavy patterns and high contrast, which had been featured in their former office. We heard ‘no, that’s too busy, too distracting.’ Our big ‘aha moment’ was when we understood that the new design needed to calm down all environmental surfaces, colors, tones. That was going to be really important in supporting the Veson team to do their best work.“

A cozy corner adjacent to the café provides a more private area to grab lunch or work. The banquettes with integrated power outlets allow employees to work here, which helps ensure the café stays active throughout the day.
Photo credit: flaunt boston

Round tables, inviting and comfortable furniture, and transparency throughout, create equitable collaborative environments where each point of view can be heard.
Photo credit: flaunt boston

From equity and change management perspectives, CBT’s Senior Project Manager Jan Abercrombie notes the benefits of the VisionLab’s client staff engagement, “This process helps usher in needed change for a company while also encouraging inclusive and equitable policy making. We're able to make our professional suggestions on how to move forward to solve some of these things. The client now has 20 or so project champions—from all levels of staff—whose diverse perspectives and voices have been heard. This group is empowered through their role in the design direction decision making. They’ve taken ownership. They can go to their colleagues saying, ‘the new office is going to be so great. We came up with these new ideas, it makes sense, and this is why.’ It’s powerful and effective on many levels.”

Rope-wrapped columns, weathered wood tones, and softened edges create a distinct aesthetic in this café inspired by employees’ dual passion for industrial ships and technology.
Photo credit: flaunt boston

The “hull” or center of the floorplan functions as the epicenter of cross-departmental collaboration, with technology-equipped “porthole” booths for focused team or individual work.
Photo credit: flaunt boston

From there, the design for the 25,000-square-foot space unfolded. The overall plan was conceived as islands of work zones within a fluid environment, creating the uncluttered aesthetic the firm wanted. The VisionLab process also identified the desire for a central collaboration space with the right technology. Fittingly called “The Hull” and edged with porthole-inspired break-out spaces, this is where staff collaborates as departments or across teams. In alignment with Veson’s communal, collegial culture, a flexible café space is used for everything from weekly staff lunches to company meetings to social events. Kenneth’s refined use of marine-inspired textures and concepts throughout synthesize the whole into an artfully branded, serene workplace. One that is the perfect reminder that the path to good design is skillfully planned.

Strategic orange accents against a neutral palette with nautical textures repackage an evolved brand in a sophisticated way, reflecting Veson’s growing renown.
Photo credit: flaunt boston

One final reflection: it’s interesting to note that Veson Nautical’s new workplace, completed on the cusp of the pandemic, wasn’t really used by staff until late 2021/early 2022, when people started returning to their offices. CBT’s Veson design team is happy to confirm in hindsight, and more importantly, through CBT’s workplace trend research—that the solutions for Veson Nautical designed in the “before times” are the solutions Veson—and many others—need now. The design features all the components that distinguish the workplaces people want—the places where we can gather, connect, and inspire each other.

Collaborators:

Client

Veson Nautical
(@ the Innovation and Design Building in Boston’s Seaport)
W: https://veson.com/
IG: @vesonnautical
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veson-nautical/

Lead Designer

Interior Design - CBT
W: https://www.cbtarchitects.com/
IG: @cbtarchitects
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbt-architects/mycompany/verification/

Owner’s Representative

Redgate
W: https://redgate-re.com/
IG: @redgate_realestate
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redgate/

Contractor

Corderman & Company
W: https://wbengineering.com/
IG: @corderman_co
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/corderman-&-company-inc-/

Consultant Team

MEP+FP Enginner – WB Engineers + Consultants
W: https://wbengineering.com/
IG: @wbenineers
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wb-engineers-consultants/

Furniture – Workflow Interiors Inc.
W: https://www.workflowinteriors.com/
IG: @workflow_interiors
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workflowinteriors/

Lighting Design – Illuminate
W: https://illuminatene.com/
IG: @illuminate_bos
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/illuminatene/

Code Consultant – Howe Engineers
W: https://www.howeengineers.com/
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/howe-engineers-inc./

Acoustician - Accentech
W: https://www.acentech.com/
IG: @acentechpics
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acentech/

Veson Nautical with CBT

IIDA New England

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