For over two decades, IA has collaborated with this global tech company, shaping workplaces that prioritize innovation, sustainability, and cultural authenticity. The latest in this ongoing partnership is the brand’s new Cape Town campus, which consolidates teams previously spread across multiple locations onto one unified, user-focused site. Coinciding with the client’s transition to a full-time office presence, the environment was designed to make employees feel supported, connected, and inspired—and to make coming to the office more compelling than working from home.
IA led the overarching vision in collaboration with Cape Town firm Design Partnership, creating a workplace that reflects the client’s global identity while being deeply rooted in the local culture and surroundings. A key to achieving this was an emphasis on outdoor spaces as well as an interior design scheme that draws from the landscape, with experiences that celebrate the changing seasons and area wildlife. Engaging directly with employees through workshops and user groups ensured the design was thoughtfully tailored to their daily needs, fostering a sense of ownership and connection to the campus. Staffers were also involved in selection of artworks, including bespoke installations and collaborations with South African and African-born artists that celebrate the region’s cultural heritage.
Environmental and ecological responsibility guided the transformation of the site, situated on a former golf course, into a dynamic, high-performance workplace. One of the most distinctive aspects of the design is its adherence to the Arc, a concept that champions preservation of fragile ecosystems through ex-situ conservation: rescuing species on the brink and restoring them to their natural habitat. Conservation botanists played a crucial role in shaping the campus grounds, reintroducing native plants—including 20 critically endangered and red-listed species—and supporting endangered wildlife habitats.
Indoors, the design concept nods to the Arc philosophy by nurturing community and wellness in a manner akin to an ecosystem supporting its inhabitants. Thoughtful biophilic touches—immersive greenery, fish tanks, terrariums, etc.—are integrated throughout to foster well-being and creativity. An earth-tone palette, timber finishes, and walls of floor-to-ceiling glass further conjure a nature-forward, indoor/outdoor vibe.
A diversity of innovative meeting areas encourages collaboration. At the heart of the central building is the “treehouse,” a striking architectural feature that overlooks the reception area and serves as a hub for business and social interactions. The workplace also offers expansive terraces that embrace Cape Town’s culture of alfresco living. Among them are double-height “greenhouses”—covered terraces outfitted with greenery-filled planters and verdant living walls—and a traditional South African braai, or barbecue, that pays homage to the region’s vibrant culture.
Collectively, these eco-minded design features not only elevate the campus’s environmental performance but also strengthen its connection to local biodiversity, resulting in a workplace that is both restorative and resilient—for people and planet. Through a balance of sustainability, cultural expression, and forward-thinking workplace strategies, IA and Design Partnership envisioned an environment that cultivates professional and personal growth in equal measure.
Design:
Design Team: Eduardo Sanz de Acedo Santamaria, Jeannie Paris, Prabha Jackson, Andrew Roberts, Alex Farmer, Nicole Smith, Brittany Stinger, Anthony Leal, Florence Goater, Contractor: GVK Siya Zama
Local Architect/Designer: Design Partnership
Project Manager: Procrit
Photography:
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