A restored space brings two telecommunications companies, staff and customers together
Digicel acquired BTC in 2015 but only recently have the two companies been physically merged into the newly redesigned space on the corner of Cedar Ave and Victoria Street – the site of an old BTC telephone exchange. L&S Design Ltd worked with Digicel to ensure the historical aspects of BTC were maintained while adding Bermuda flourishes to the international Digicel brand. Don Foggo, head of marketing of the Digicel Group, says, “The vision was to maintain its history but also make it a place that people will want to come into work and feel comfortable coming to.” He states that, while there was a financial reason for the move, “It also represents the final merger of two companies.” The BTC payment centre on the ground floor is designed for easy access and includes a wheelchair access ramp and automatic door. Foggo says, “People want to come in, pay their bill and leave. We didn’t want to make it difficult for our customers to pay. They can do it efficiently and quickly and go about their business.” Just past the payment centre is the corporate reception and business solutions area, which has a formal meeting room and two breakout rooms, so clients don’t have to walk throughout the building to get their business completed. Foggo adds it has a “more polished look” than the retail payment centre to let people know this is for corporate clients, but at the same time it fits cohesively with it.
Behind the corporate reception area wall are salespeople, corporate care staff, and ICT engineers, wherein staff can quickly connect with clients who need attention. Gary Mitchell, head of facilities, says, “All the managers and the senior management leadership sit on the floor with the staff. So it’s a matter of just going over to their desk and not having to go knock on the door or make an appointment. It’s such a fast-paced environment. It’s just a matter of the sales guy leaning over to the head of business to say, for example, ‘I need approval on this,’ so the design speeds up the process.” Dawn Dunstan, the interior designer, explains that there is a staff coffee bar on the ground floor for convenience, with the main staff kitchen on the second floor. The staff kitchen has a food prep area, microwaves, fridges and dining. The kitchen cabinets are framed with wood tones, and a teal tile backsplash adds a splash of color. Large concrete pendant lights hang over the center island. The second-floor office space is entered through an intimate and casual lounge space that offers a breakout area for staff as well as guest seating. The lounge features a metal grill accent in the ceiling, pendant lighting, and comfortable sofas. It is surrounded by meeting and office space, all framed with glass walls and wood barn doors.
Dunstan says, “The office was designed with the required amenities such as kitchen, restrooms, copy areas and enclosed spaces in the central core of the building. While the open-plan workstations were purposely located around the perimeter of the space, taking advantage of large windows and giving staff natural light. There is also an exterior atrium off of the kitchen that allows staff to sit outside and enjoy a bit of Bermuda sunshine while in the heart of the city.”
Wood vinyl tile laid in a herringbone pattern defines the traffic areas around the core of the building, while the open work areas have a vibrant grey and teal patterned carpet. Niche work areas were painted in pastel blue and pink, and bright upholstered pieces also add pops of color to the space. Dunstan says, “We wanted the office space to reflect the beautiful pastel Bermuda colors such as teals, pinks, and corals while also featuring the Digicel global brand.” Another fascinating feature wall recognises the people working there with photographs of the staff. The Charlie Marshall Boardroom, still being completed, pays homage to BTC with a collection of old landline and cellular phones in display cases. Foggo says, “The goal was restoration while also building a comfortable environment for our customers and staff alike, I think we were able to accomplish that.”
