NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA)

Ranked among Reuters’ list of the world’s top 10 innovative universities, Imperial College London brings together academia, industry, and government. With that pedigree, it’s a fitting home for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). DIANA “provides companies with the resources, networks, and guidance to develop deep technologies to solve critical Defence and security challenges,” per its website.

The organisation builds relationships among innovators, investors, and industry partners across the Alliance. All of this work is in support of nine key emerging and disruptive technologies: biotechnology, hypersonic, space, novel materials and manufacturing, and energy and propulsion.

Reflecting a commitment to excellence and innovation Concept4 – a Bristol-based studio that provides creative office design, office fit-outs, furniture solutions, and workplace consultancy – partnered with MillerKnoll to design DIANA’s new headquarters on Imperial College’s campus in White City, London.

Top drivers for the project included: • Fostering an innovative and dynamic work environment • Enhancing opportunities for collaboration • Attracting and retaining top talent • Supporting workplace wellbeing • Embodying the organisation’s values, vision, and commitment to excellence and innovation.

Achieving these goals necessitated a state-of-the-art facility.

Balancing collaboration with privacy

The organisations in the accelerator occupy half of the floor, and NATO, which oversees the programme, uses the other. On the accelerator side, collaboration was key. “We wanted areas people could converge around, share ideas, connect with each other – but that could also be used as a place to focus away from your desk,” says Concept4’s Naomi Ripley, Lead Designer on the project. The team chose Herman Miller’s OE1 Huddle Table and Setu Chairs to create a space for quick collaboration in the open office with Hue Seating from NaughtOne nearby.

All areas need a heightened level of flexibility and to be able to pivot for visits from external companies. This includes the 33-seat board room, featuring Everywhere Tables from Herman Miller, which can be easily reconfigured to serve as a training room, host a large meeting, or work as a particular project’s temporary base.

A level of security is required on the NATO side and for the DIANA managing director’s office. “Plus, if you’ve got someone like the President of Estonia coming in, you need a space that’s going to feel comfortable and conducive,” Ripley says.

Concept4 chose Knoll’s private office solutions for the managing director’s space. “It has a sleek modern design; the desk has adjustable height, ergonomic comfort – it’s ideal for a dynamic and productive workspace,” Ripley says. The room also includes Muuto’s leather-upholstered Outline  Sofa, which adds aesthetic charm and comfort

The power of the collective

Andrew Woods, Project Director at Concept4, noted MillerKnoll’s commitment to sustainability, expertise in ergonomic design, and customisation options as key motivators for the partnership. “MillerKnoll aligned perfectly with the client’s goals to create a dynamic, collaborative, and appealing work environment.”

By specifying products from Herman Miller, Knoll, NaughtOne, Muuto, and Colebrook Bosson Saunders and textiles from Maharam, Concept4 leveraged the breadth the collective offers.

“It made everything so much easier. We had one point of contact, and we could get access to a huge range of products.” Woods says.

That praise was so high, that the design of the London hub will serve as a template for DIANA’s next two outposts in Halifax (Canada) and Tallin (Estonia) – right down to the furniture from MillerKnoll brands.