IDEO Cambridge

After 10 years in Cambridge, IDEO relocated their offices to a three-story space in a standalone building in the Central Square neighborhood. Formerly a 20th-century parking garage, the building was converted into office space, but required a comprehensive update. Collaboration is the epicenter of IDEO’s creative process, inspiring a design with a variety of working spaces to offer programmatic flexibility. While the first two levels are for client and staff, including the workshop and IDEO CoLab, the third is for employees only, including desks, couches, and project team rooms. At the ground level, garage doors connect rooms to the outdoor entryway and parking lot, facilitating group projects and events. An open steel, oak, and glass stair wrapped in an installation of black, grey, and red rope connects all levels. The building exterior was painted white as a canvas for collaboration with mural artist Eltono.