Insurance Company

For this leading insurance company’s Johannesburg team, the move to Oxford Parks was more than a change of address. It was an opportunity to rethink the workplace experience, aligning the local office more closely with the organisation’s international environments while creating a stronger reason for employees to come together.

The 360m² relocation project on the first floor of 55 Eastwood Road in Dunkeld, Randburg, responds directly to the realities of hybrid work. The brief called for a space that felt current, comfortable and professional, without being overly branded or trend-led. The result is a refined workplace that balances neutrality with character, using subtle references to the client’s corporate identity rather than overt brand expression.

The design language is calm, warm and considered. Timber panelling, softened curves, muted colour accents, acoustic wall treatments, integrated planting and black-framed glazing create a space that feels polished but approachable. A deliberately restrained palette gives the office a timeless quality, while colour and texture help give different zones their own identity.

A key design move was translating the company’s visual identity into architectural detail. Instead of relying on applied branding, thinkspace incorporated brand cues into the wall panelling, screens, joinery and spatial elements. The curved timber slatted features, rounded display niches and black-framed planter screens give the workplace a distinct personality while keeping the overall expression understated.

The layout is shaped by ergonomics, natural light and collaboration. With the workplace largely open plan, thinkspace created a sense of openness while still introducing pockets of privacy. Workstations retain access to daylight and views, while meeting rooms, Zoom rooms, call booths and informal areas support different work modes, from focused tasks to virtual meetings and team collaboration.

Technology is carefully integrated throughout the space, particularly in the boardroom and meeting environments. These areas support both in-person and virtual collaboration, while the smaller focus spaces give employees alternatives to the open-plan setting when privacy or concentration is needed.

Wellbeing is embedded through access to natural light, acoustic comfort, planting and softer material choices. The reception and waiting area sets the tone with lounge seating, warm lighting, timber detailing and curved forms, creating a welcome experience that feels professional, calm and human.

Custom joinery plays an important role throughout the workplace. Shelving, wall panelling, planter dividers and colour-blocked rooms help differentiate areas while maintaining a coherent design language. In the café-style area, the space becomes more relaxed and playful, supporting informal interaction and giving employees a social destination within the office.

The project also needed to make a compact footprint feel more generous. This was achieved through openness, transparency and careful zoning. Glass partitions, consistent floor finishes, vertical detailing and layered lighting help extend sightlines and create a sense of depth.

For the client, the finished office achieves a considered balance: international alignment without losing local warmth, brand presence without overt corporate messaging, and functionality without sacrificing atmosphere. At its heart, this is a workplace designed to make the office feel worthwhile again, offering employees choice, comfort, collaboration and a stronger sense of belonging.

ClientLeading Insurance CompanyLocationOxford Parks, Rosebank, JohannesburgCategoryCommercialArea368m²Circa2026