inhouse highlights travelstart's brand identity in cape town headquarters

already nearing its second decade, travelstart remains one of africa’s leading online travel agencies and booking websites. based in sunny cape town, they have recently relocated their headquarters to the vibrant area of kloof street. as a result of travelstart’s success, it is natural that the company should wish to set itself in a working space that reflects its efficiency and modernity.

the initial concept was inspired by the office featured in nancy meyers’ comedy film ‘the intern’

south african based studio, inhouse design, aims for a proposal that immediately reflects the brand’s identity. the initial interior design concept was inspired by the office featured in nancy meyer’s comedy film ‘the intern’, upon which travelstart’s CEO wished to model for the new headquarters.

travelstart is one of africa’s leading online travel agencies and booking websites

travelstart has requested a design that would create the impression of a ‘wow effect’. to answer the brief, inhouse has structured a layout that resembles this booming business in south africa. the reception area is dominated by a huge, circular blue light box behind the front desk, representing the company’s logo and creating an immediate impression of the brand’s identity the moment one enters the office. in addition to the reception, on ground floor there is also a coffee bar and behind the circular blue light box, a lengthy 24-seater communal table. on the first floor, a central kitchen and a seating area for company presentations. the communal workspace is accessible and roomy, differing from the second floor where there are slightly more glass-walled spaces, including recreation and meditation rooms. nonetheless, the floor maintains the air of spaciousness and accessibility that defines the rest of travelstart’s headquarters.

the overall design scheme reflects travelstart’s efficiency and modernity

throughout the office, a number of consistently recurring compositions serve to lend a very particular aesthetic. the brand’s distinctive colour scheme of blue, white and grey dominates every floor. the circular logo, prominent on the ground floor, persists on the first and second in the form of circular ceiling pendants. the open layout, transparent walls and four-metre-high ceilings foster ease of access, creating a spacious atmosphere and helping to ensure that full use is made of the natural light from the building’s sizeable windows. also, discreet acoustic ceiling panels ensure that this openness does not result in a noisy atmosphere.

the reception is dominated by a blue light box located behind the front desk that represents travelstart’s logo

behind the blue light box is a lengthy 24-seater communal table

a two-meter long model aeroplane suspends from the ceiling in the triple volume space over reception

travelstart’s logo, prominent on the ground floor, persists on the first and second in the form of ceiling pendants

the first floor opens onto a stadium seating area that can be used for company presentations

the second floor contains slightly more glass-walled spaces, including recreational and meditation rooms

glass-walled meeting rooms divide the workspaces down the middle, while shared worktables line the walls

the open layout, transparent walls, and high ceilings foster ease of access and create a spacious atmosphere

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom

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