The new workplace for Traffik, a global marketing firm, is an experiment in interactive design, combining elements of hospitality, retail and workplace. Located in a shopping mall in a space originally intended for a steakhouse, next to an Apple and a H&M, the two-story, 22,000-square-foot workplace is designed to create the type of buzz the company is famous for producing.

The design embraces its very public location and assumes an almost “hospitality” vibe, taking full advantage of the first level’s limited size and awkward configuration. The retail component is highlighted by street views of the firm’s glass-enclosed podcast studio and main conference room. The openness and visibility grab shoppers’ interest and make the firm part of the mix in the shopping center.

The entry and reception area is meant to feel like a hip, urban hotel, with a check-in concierge, lounge waiting area and luggage carts. The design uses the unique 30-foot ceilings to provide elevated platforms for different workspaces, helping to transform the mall space into an environment specific to the agency and its work.

Traffik wanted to bring back the ambience of an old-school advertising agency, while reflecting the firm’s modern approach. An emphasis on simple metal frames, brick, wood floors and leather furniture define the space, which features a stadium stair, library, barbershop and collaborative “cocktail lounge.”

The design envelopes people as they move through the space. Closer to the center, the area is crafted to feel darker and more intimate. Art, bold graphics, color and the lighting design play important roles in the immersive experience.

Throughout the workplace, there is a constant connection to socialization and collaboration, reflecting a core element of the firm’s culture. The main stairs are used for many purposes, including small work sessions. Each conference room has a unique theme and purpose, offering various meeting modalities that inspire creativity and alternative thought.

The barbershop design, including vintage barber chairs, evolved from discussions about the social aspects of traditional barbershops and how those might spark different types of thinking and discussions in a collaborative space.

Wherever possible, the design sought to turn the challenges of the space into a benefit. With window space scarce on the second level, darkness was embraced and enhanced. The ambient darkness allows the color, features and themes of the different spaces to be more effective and dramatic.

The actual workspaces are minimal and designed as almost “libraries” between the event spaces. Long, collaborative tables provide constant interaction and collaboration, saving the specialty spaces for project teams discussions, pitch meetings and interviews.

Traffik’s CEO called the workplace “the physical manifestation of our mindset, of being present, of being noticed, of being recognized for the phenomenal things we’ve accomplished and the extraordinary work that’s yet to come.”