When Israeli startup company Whizar raised $3 million in investment capital, they did the opposite of what you might expect: They abandoned their premier, top-floor office and moved to a renovated industrial old building. Located in the area of Tel Aviv that is home to many workshops, the former printing house is now a bright and open office environment for the company. The edgier space is more fitting to the company’s overall vibe, workstyle and persona than the former luxury location was.

Designed by Manor Brown Studio for the air ticketing optimization company, the space builds from the industrial architecture, using modern furniture paired with retro touches to create a vibrant working environment. The prime goal for the redesigned space was preserving the original architecture, so the large steel-framed windows from the 1960s that reflect Tel Aviv’s skyline are a key element in the offices. Together with the original concrete floors and the high ceilings, it makes a very comfortable and interesting office.

Whizair’s move to their new location just happened to coincide with the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and it was forced to institute a hiring freeze, as were countless firms across the globe. Despite this challenge, the company moved forward with the new move and requested a flexible floor plan that would allow them to change communal areas into private offices easily. The resulting space is made up of shared work areas that include formal meeting rooms and informal places for ideation and creative collaboration.

The different areas in the eclectic office flow seamlessly from one into another, even though each has a slightly different design personality. The kitchen area features a modern, industrial look while the informal gathering space next to it has a boldly colored, comfortable sofa and a boho macrame chair swing.

To promote the light and open feeling, the kitchen space is separated by a metal grid instead of a solid wall. Green plants, which are used throughout the offices, grow in the grid and eventually will form a green wall.

A corner room is one of the flexible workspaces that can be used for meetings or for several people to work independently. A multilevel cube construction allows the space to be used in different ways and accommodate a flexible number of people, depending on the use. Bright colors and minimal clutter mean it’s ideal for thought and focus.

In addition to the more formal spaces for meetings and group collaboration, the central communal area includes different options for working. While the central work tables accommodate groups, complete with computer equipment, there are other spots for a change of scenery. A wooden slab bar has space for individuals to eat lunch or work separately. The informal space can also be used by employees who want to work separately

The new offices also include several formal meeting spaces, which can also be used for larger group collaboration efforts. These also fit with the overall feel of the office and are comfortable and stylish but still work with the larger industrial design.