Epicenter's Workspace Evolution: How Modular Walls Unlocked Flexible, Dynamic Office Solutions

Epicenter is a leading Nordic coworking operator providing 30,000 square metres of cutting-edge office space dedicated to startups and technology companies. Confronted with the challenge of optimising underutilised office space, NORNORM emerged as the pivotal solution.

At NORNORM, we’re thrilled to share that we’ve been named one of the Top 25 fastest-growing startups in the Nordics and Benelux by Sifted, a leading platform for European startup news and insights. This recognition is based on revenue growth over the past three years and underscores the growing demand for innovative, sustainable solutions in the business world.

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“This ranking is a testament to the demand for sustainable solutions and the success of our circular model, furniture as a service. It’s proof that businesses can thrive while driving positive environmental impact,” says Emil Steenhouwer, Deputy CEO at NORNORM.

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At NORNORM, we’re on a mission to revolutionise the office furniture industry—proving that a circular economy isn’t just good for the planet but also a profitable and scalable business model.

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We’re grateful to our bold and forward-thinking customers for embracing the circular economy and driving this transition with us. We’re just getting started. Join us in making circularity the new norm.

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Want to see who else made the list? Check out the Sifted Leaderboard!

Epicenter's Workspace Evolution: How Modular Walls Unlocked Flexible, Dynamic Office Solutions

Epicenter is a leading Nordic coworking operator providing 30,000 square metres of cutting-edge office space dedicated to startups and technology companies. Confronted with the challenge of optimising underutilised office space, NORNORM emerged as the pivotal solution.

The Challenge

Epicenter was presented with an exciting opportunity from their landlord: to manage an additional floor of 900 square metres. This new space, located directly above their existing operations, stood empty for eight months. The challenge was not just the vacancy but the fact that the space was poorly optimised. Epicenter needed a solution that was not only efficient but also flexible, to cater to the dynamic needs of their target audience - startups and tech companies.

NORNORM's Solution

The strategy was clear: transform the empty floor into a vibrant hub of smaller studios that could adapt to the varying needs of different tenants. To achieve this, NORNORM employed smart furniture design and modular walls. This approach allowed for the quick reconfiguration of the space, enabling Epicenter to offer tailored studio sizes without the need for a hefty CAPEX investment.

Impactful Results

- The optimisation led to securing the first tenant within just six weeks.
- The space quickly reached full occupancy, proving the market's demand for flexible workspaces.
- Epicenter enjoyed a higher rental yield, as the segmented spaces commanded higher rents than the previous single large area.

The collaboration between Epicenter and NORNORM demonstrates the effectiveness of adaptive design in modern workspaces. By leveraging flexible modular walls, a space can be continuously optimised with no risk or heavy investments required.

From Design to Real Life, See the Final Outcome:

Nanna Gelebo (BCG) on Bridging Linear and Circular Business Models

Nanna Gelebo has been a Partner at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Stockholm for 12 years, with a strong track record of driving transformative change in the retail sector on everything from strategy to implementation.

Key Insights

Nanna discusses the concept of 'cross-fertilisation' between linear and circular business models. She highlights the importance of transforming transactional customer relationships into relational ones through circular efforts, emphasising that rental and second-hand products can serve as gateways for consumers into more sustainable consumption patterns. This approach not only benefits the environment but also opens new avenues for business growth.

Takeaway

Linear business models do not have to stay linear. You can start to become more circular by gradually integrating a circular business model into your current linear one, through e.g. rental and second-hand products, building a circular set-up that suits your business specifically.

Marcus Linder (RISE) on Evaluating and Ensuring Circular Claims

Marcus Linder is the Director of Business Design at the Research Institute of Sweden (RISE). He holds a PhD in Technology Management and Economics from Chalmers University of Technology, specified in environmental research, with his research having been applied industrially in procurements by industry giants such as Volvo.

Key Insights

Marcus brings attention to the critical aspect of a product's end-of-life plan. He emphasises that being 'potentially circular' is insufficient without a concrete and, preferably legally binding, plan for product lifecycle management. This perspective is crucial for customers evaluating circular claims, pushing companies to not just promise sustainability but to embed it into their actual business practices.

Takeaway

To remain credible towards industry peers and customers, the best practice is to have a clear, communicable, and incentivised plan for your circular business model that customers can trust and rely on. It is important that customers should be able to evaluate and ensure your claim of circularity and end-of-life product plans.

Vojtech Vosecky on Being Authentic when Marketing your Circular Efforts

Vojtech Vosecky is one of the leading circular economy advocates, with experiences ranging from being the co-founder of the successful think-tank Institute of Circular Economy, working for the European Parliament, and the world-leading organisation Circle Economy. In 2022, he was also selected as one of the Top Green Voices to follow in Europe by LinkedIn.

Key Insights

Vojtech stresses the importance of being hyper-authentic in the communication of your circular business principles. For him, it’s about being bold in stating what you stand for, challenging misconceptions, and creating moments of realisation for your audience (think true “aha-moments”). His approach - educate, inspire, and agitate - is a formula that companies can use to effectively market their circular efforts. Vojtech highlights that no matter the format of your marketing, and to avoid the trap of greenwashing, be authentic and stand your ground, whilst always backing up with research. That always wins.

Takeaway

When marketing your circular or sustainable business efforts, especially on LinkedIn, use the three principles of educating, inspiring, and agitating - ideally in one go. Be authentic, use visuals, and create truly educating moments. Use facts whenever you can. However, be careful not to over-do them - and always, always, double check them.

“In the end, what is it about? It's about creating a relationship between the user and this object. I think we all have a strong link to things that are meaningful, that have been charged by accompanying our life.”

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In the end, what is it about? It's about creating a relationship between the user and this object. I think we all have a strong link to things that are meaningful, that have been charged by accompanying our life.

Epicenter's Workspace Evolution: How Modular Walls Unlocked Flexible, Dynamic Office Solutions