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Offices are the new business card: How companies design for identity

Modern business leaders are redefining the office, creating workspaces that mirror their values and amplify their vision

DeVere Portugal in Ireland team photographed at Iconic Offices Hume Street House
DeVere Portugal in Ireland team photographed at Iconic Offices Hume Street House

The modern office has changed. What was once a sea of grey cubicles where people quietly tapped away at work has now transformed into something much more dynamic. Today, the office is a hub for connection, collaboration and culture, grounded in a people-focused approach. It’s no longer just a place where employees gather five times a week, now it’s a space that reflects a company’s unique identity.

Today’s workspaces have become a window into a company, instantly revealing how it operates and what it stands for. When used strategically, the office can accelerate growth, strengthen networks, and attract opportunities. That’s why companies with growth on their minds are deliberate about the workspaces they choose and why more and more are turning to flexible workspaces to support the unique ways they work.

Building community through the right space

Flexible workspace providers offer more than just an office, they offer a multi-use space that gives you the freedom and the resources to work your way. A strong example of this is Image Media, which chose Iconic Offices as its headquarters in 2023 and has since become a strong brand partner for the company. Having been in the industry for decades, Image is a brand that isn’t afraid to evolve, and its workspace reflects that spirit of innovation. “It’s important that our offices reflect the energy of Image: modern, ambitious, dynamic, and fun,” says Lizzie Gore-Grimes, editor-in-chief, Image Media. “We love how Iconic Offices transform historic Dublin buildings into modern, design-led workspaces.”

Image Media team photographed at Iconic Offices Viscount House
Image Media team photographed at Iconic Offices Viscount House

However, the decision to partner with Iconic Offices was not just about aesthetics. Through the partnership, Image Media has hosted bi-monthly co-working days from multiple Iconic Offices locations across Dublin city centre, creating an invaluable opportunity for business owners to come together to network, learn and share their expertise, all while bringing a fresh energy to the workspaces and strengthening its position as a hub for business leaders and entrepreneurs. “We love to be able to offer that variety of inspiring, dynamic workspace environments for our members,” says Gore-Grimes.

Image is a brand which has proved that in today’s world of work, creating community is not just a by-product of success, it is one of its core foundations. And choosing Iconic Offices means Image Media has the support of a workspace that not just facilitates but reflects its mission to create communities of forward-thinking and innovative business leaders.

Sustainability at the heart of the workspace

As businesses look toward the future, one aspect of choosing a workspace that is increasingly non-negotiable is sustainability. For some, this means adopting strong ESG practices, for others, it’s about aligning their physical workspace with their organisational values. Few embody this shift more clearly than the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC). The IGBC is a non-profit membership organisation and Ireland’s leading authority on green building best practices. For them, moving into Iconic Offices was not just a practical choice – it was a values-driven decision. “It was crucial that we moved to a place that was dedicated to sustainability, and not just on paper, but in day-to-day execution as well,” says Ellen McElligott, director of membership and strategic partnerships, IGBC.

Irish Green Building Council team photographed at Iconic Offices The Masonry
Irish Green Building Council team photographed at Iconic Offices The Masonry

The central location of their workspace, The Masonry in Dublin 8, and its hybrid-friendly design were also important considerations. With a geographically diverse team, IGBC needed flexibility, access to breakout spaces and meeting rooms on an ad hoc basis, and the ability to collaborate in an environment that encouraged efficient use of resources. “By sharing common areas with other companies, we maximise the use of the building reducing the environmental impact of unused spaces – a key principle of circularity,” says McElligott.

And Iconic Offices shares that sentiment. From establishing the first Well v2 Gold certified workspace in Europe in 2019 to becoming fully powered by green, renewable energy in 2025, Iconic Offices is committed to creating workspaces that are not just beneficial through productivity but genuinely enhance its members wellbeing. By choosing a flexible workspace that mirrors these values, IGBC ensured that its headquarters was not just a functional space but one that reinforces its identity as a leader in green building practices.

The power of professionalism

For deVere Portugal in Ireland, a global financial advisory firm specialising in pensions and retirement planning, professionalism is at the core of its business and finding a workspace that could mirror that standard was essential. DeVere found that in Iconic Office’s newest Georgian workspace No 81 Merrion Square. “Our office provides a professional, inspiring environment that enables our team to collaborate more effectively and deliver exceptional service to clients,” says deVere’s senior wealth manager of Zurich, Basel and Dublin, Ricki Thomas.

Beyond the physical space, the experience is elevated by Iconic Offices’ dedicated front-of-house teams, whose professionalism adds another layer of polish to day-to-day operations. From greeting clients to supporting the company’s needs, the front-of-house team ensures that every interaction is seamless and aligned with the high standards deVere Portugal sets for its business. Acting as an extension of the business, the teams elevate the office experience creating a space where client relationships can be nurtured and top talent can be acquired. “Its central location and high-quality facilities help us attract top talent and foster stronger client relationships,” Thomas says. By aligning their workspace with their standards, the team at deVere Portugal ensures that clients and potential employees can see exactly what the company values, from the moment they step inside.

The evolution of the workplace is not just about new designs or extra amenities, it is about creating spaces where businesses can truly see themselves. Flexible workspaces allow companies to choose environments that mirror their values, support their culture, and adapt to their unique ways of working. Whether it’s a brand like Image Media embracing innovation, the Irish Green Building Council prioritising sustainability, or deVere Portugal elevating professionalism, each story demonstrates that the right office can be a powerful extension of a company’s identity. In a world where work is no longer tied down by tradition, flexible workspaces give businesses the freedom to build offices that don’t just house their teams but help shape who they are and where they’re going.

Make your office your signature. Start today at iconicoffices.com.