MillerKnoll partners with Concept4 on NATO’s state-of-the-art DIANA headquarters

Tasked with creating a contemporary, collaborative workspace on the campus of Imperial College London, MillerKnoll partnered with Bristol design studio Concept4 to create a design concept around its portfolio of furniture brands. This is no ordinary university office building – the project is the new headquarters for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). This new organisation builds relationships among NATO’s innovators, investors and partners, sharing the resources and networks needed to develop deep technologies and solve critical security challenges.

Designing for a state-of-the-art facility

Alongside MillerKnoll, Concept4 – a workplace consultancy and specialist in office fit-outs and furniture solutions – set out to deliver a dynamic, modern workplace that better foster collaboration and idea-sharing between NATO’s employees. The design team started by establishing an open, flexible floorplan, envisioning adaptable spaces that encourage teamwork and prioritise employee wellbeing.

Also guiding the design process was the desire to capture and reflect the organisation’s values and vision, with organisations in Accelerator occupying half of the floor, and NATO (which oversees the programme) occupying the other. When drafting the concept for the accelerator side, collaboration was key: “We wanted areas people could converge around, share ideas and connect with each other, but that could also be used as a place to focus away from your desk,” explains Concept4’s Naomi Ripley, lead designer on the project.

In contrast, on the NATO side – home to the DIANA managing director’s office – a higher level of security was required. “Plus, if you’ve got someone like the President of Estonia coming in, you need a space that’s going to feel comfortable and conducive,” Ripley adds.

Defining function through furniture

When achieving the right balance of collaboration and privacy at DIANA HQ, MillerKnoll and Concept4 relied on the power of furniture to determine each zone’s function and layout. For instance, when furnishing the accelerator side of the office the team chose the OE1 Huddle Table from Herman Miller – later pairing this with the brand’s Setu Chairs to enable quick collaboration in the open office environment, with versatile Hue Seating by NaughtOne also positioned close by. All areas required a high level of flexibility and the power to pivot for visits from external companies. This included the 33-seat board room, now featuring Everywhere Tables from Herman Miller, which can be easily reconfigured into a training room, a large meeting room, or the temporary home base for a particular project.

Over in the managing director’s office, Concept4 selected Knoll’s private office solutions to target both function and style. These solutions include a sleek, modern desk with an adjustable height for ergonomic comfort, as well as a leather-upholstered Outline Sofa from Muuto, creating a distinct, refined aesthetic as well as an added layer of comfort. Soft lounge seating by NaughtOne – such as the Always Lounge Chair, Hush Sofa and Ever Sofa – were also positioned throughout shared spaces such as the shared kitchen diner onsite, offering staff a comfortable place to take a break.

Following consistently positive feedback from employees at the new HQ, the design of the London hub is set to be used as a template for DIANA’s next two outposts in Halifax, Canada, and Tallin, Estonia – including the choice of furniture from MillerKnoll’s selection of leading brands.

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