Irish tech unicorn Fin tapped local talent to transform its global headquarters, hiring Dublin-born designer Emily Cunnane to infuse its offices with personality. The company, founded in 2011, provides helpdesk software and recently agreed to a $3.6 billion acquisition by Salesforce. Fin sought to physically convey its AI business through its physical spaces, selecting Cunnane to handle three of its six global locations. Cunnane, who now operates from Portugal, approached the project with a set-design mindset, aiming to humanize steel and glass environments.
Modern offices have evolved far beyond the amenities of the first dot-com boom. While previous iterations included mini basketball hoops and foosball tables, today’s design emphasizes immersive environments. Tech giants like Google have led this charge with campuses designed by firms such as Heatherwick Studio and Bjarke Ingels Group. In Dublin, local firms have also reshaped the city’s business districts, from Bolands Mills to Ballsbridge. [1] Fin’s recent acquisition signals a major shift in market activity, further highlighting the firm’s rising prominence.
Cunnane’s approach for Fin prioritizes storytelling over standard corporate aesthetics. The spaces are not merely functional; they act as extensions of the company’s brand. By blending local craftsmanship with digital tools, she creates environments that feel both personal and futuristic. This strategy aligns with the company’s focus on AI, creating a physical presence that matches its digital ambitions.
Curating a filmic atmosphere
Art plays a central role in Cunnane’s design philosophy. She selected figurative works that utilize a warm palette of orange, red, and yellow to create a welcoming atmosphere. Collaborating with artists like Enda Burke and Peter Smyth, she ensured that the visual narrative supports the company’s identity. Burke’s pieces, for instance, possess a David Hockney quality that feels almost AI-generated, while Smyth’s work begins as ecological observations translated into digital formats.
The Dublin office serves as a prime example of this collaborative spirit. Located on St Stephen’s Green, the three-story building transforms by night. Its three-metre-high tambour doors reveal a tomato red interior designed by Wicklow-based Bear Creation, turning the workspace into a bar by evening. This duality highlights Cunnane’s ability to adapt spaces for different moods while maintaining a cohesive visual identity across all locations.
Consistency is the foundation of this design strategy. Branding specialist Conor Clarke notes that a workspace environment acts as a tangible representation of a company’s reputation. For Fin, these offices serve as a calling card, allowing the company to express its identity through atmosphere rather than traditional marketing materials. By integrating art, furniture, and architecture, Cunnane has created environments that distinguish Fin from competitors, proving that even large tech firms benefit from a human touch.
Leave a Reply