TomTom

Hybrid working at TomTom (3,700 employees worldwide) placed new demands on its offices' interior and furniture, aimed at promoting circularity as much as possible. In addition, the company was keen to merge the two Amsterdam offices into one state-of-the-art head office. Ahrend joined forces with TomTom's own designer and project coordinator, with contractors and furnishers, in offering different solutions and adaptations: from various custom-designed quiet booths to circular chairs and lockers. 'Ahrend took care of absolutely everything for us in this process.'

Supporting hybrid working

TomTom, renowned internationally as an innovative IT company specialising in navigation technology and tools, moved from two offices in Amsterdam to a new seven-storey office (7000m2). In addition to the reception and restaurant on the ground floor and meeting rooms and event spaces on the first floor, the other floors are mainly furnished as office space. The offices and furniture, as per the specified requirement, had to support hybrid and activity-based working. It was important that sufficient places were provided for staff to carry out tasks requiring concentration and focus.

Flexible and adaptable

It comes as no surprise then that Ahrend - based on very close, harmonious cooperation with TomTom's own designer - recommended the use of Ahrend Qabins. As Rob Gimberg, account manager at Ahrend explains: 'By choosing a variety of space-in-space solutions instead of fixed built spaces, you can manage the space more flexibly. You can rearrange a large office space more easily, possibly place cabins in other places and on other floors, reconfigure, enlarge or reduce them. Flexibility was a major priority on TomTom's wish list.'

‘'Ahrend's input by finding alternatives and involving local, inventive parties has helped us enormously.'’

Bart Nederveen Project Coordinator Corporate Real Estate at TomTom

Customised space-in-space

Changing and adapting the use of office, meeting and consultation rooms is a must for this international company. 'Hybrid working is not yet fully integrated. Not surprisingly, different types of employees – from engineers to marketing, HR and finance staff – have recently all been working in a single office. The Ahrend Qabin Meet can accommodate different forms of work and consultation, while also offering flexibility.'
TomTom opted for three types of functions for the space-in-space solutions: online (international) meetings, informal consultations and focused collaborative work. Ahrend has customised the Qabin Online, Lounge and Focus for TomTom.

Sustainable and circular

In addition to the specific functional and IT requirements, TomTom explicitly wants to operate in a circular and sustainable manner. With this in mind, Ahrend checked the workspaces being used at TomTom prior to the move and refurbished or restored them as required. 'But we also offer circular alternatives for new custom-built items: for example, lockers made from recycled jute and denim and Ahrend Well chairs upholstered with 98% reusable fabric. We provided TomTom with products and were happy to come up with innovative, sustainable solutions that not only gave them a second lease of life, but also made them flexible and adaptable.'

TomTom on Ahrend 

'Bringing two offices together to an office at another location in combination with a hybrid way of working is a puzzle. Especially when sustainability is also high on the agenda.
Ahrend's role in finding alternatives and involving local, inventive service providers has helped us enormously. Setting up a Qabin, for example, with two desks, quite a few sensors and a lot of audiovisual support is not a standard arrangement. Ahrend managed to achieve this, collaborating with our IT department.

We now work in a comfortable office that has kept us true to TomTom's culture. Our employees feel at home there and can work to their maximum potential, whether it be alone and focused, online in an international meeting, at a dynamic sit-stand table in the open space, a meeting room or Qabin pod. Ahrend has taken care of everything for us in this process.'

Bart Nederveen, Project Coordinator Corporate Real Estate at TomTom

Photography: Stijn Poelstra