A Tour of MND Association’s New Northampton Office

Location: Northampton, England
Date completed: 2020
Size: 10,500 square feet
Design: Oktra
Photos: Oliver Pohlmann

Charity organization MND Association recently hired workplace design firm Oktra to design their new office in Northampton, England.

“The Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association needed one cohesive space on a single floor, in order to better house their teams and improve collaborative working. We began the process by undertaking a two-week long workplace study in order to learn more about how to best support those living with MND and those who care for them.

Embarking on this project with the objective of embodying the MND Association’s values of openness and inclusivity, we built in wheelchair accessibility throughout as a fundamental part of the design. Creating an aesthetic connection between the two wings of the building, we joined the two halves with a storytelling area at the entrance to hold the heart of the space, and from which a variety of focus booths and collaborative workstations fan outwards.

Wellbeing is emphasised throughout in biophilic elements, acoustic considerations and soft furnishings, as well as the use of natural materials. This workplace evokes an engaged, welcoming feel which we hope will help support the teams at the MND Association toward their core ambition of ‘a world free from MND,” says Oktra.