Living Offices | S05E07 | Infraspeak
Porto, Portugal [Go to PT version]
Infraspeak is a technology company that is transforming the world of operations management by helping maintenance, infrastructure and service managers get the most out of their teams, assets and resources — all through its pioneering Intelligent Maintenance Management Platform (IMMP).
Both the company’s mission and activities focus on the motto Be a Source of Good Life. They believe that when technology and people work in harmony, it is possible to improve maintenance operations and bring joy, simplicity, and quality of life to everyone — customers, partners, teams, families, and the community. The same is reflected in their workspaces.
Office File
Company: Infraspeak
Location: Porto
Total Area: 1.200 m2
Year: 2019–2020
Capacity: 150–200 people
Industry: Software as a Service (SaaS), IT Development
Office Design: Modular System — architecture & layout; Infraspeak team — office decoration
The office is located in the center of Porto, in a former industrial area that was transformed into work spaces. The industrial nature of the building was maintained and integrated into the design and decoration.
When we enter the office building, it’s straight into a large hall where you can immediately sense the company’s collaborative, flexible and informal culture. This area simultaneously serves as an auditorium, social and reception area.
The large space is equipped with colorful poufs that can be arranged in the format that best suits each moment: in an auditorium, in a circle, or, as on this day, arranged along the walls to make room for the celebration of the town’s popular saint São João. The small stage with musical instruments, can be used for more prominent moments and to add music to the party. This is the chosen space for events.
In this same space, we also find an exhibition of craft beers that have a very special history. When they started as a startup, they celebrated each major milestone or new client with a new craft beer. The ritual has become tradition, and today there are more than 500 clients and 350 beers, still with much to toast about.
In the Infraspeak farm corner there are baskets, where the people who work here and have families with crops, offer their surplus, avoiding waste and promoting sharing. There are seasonal flowers, fruits and vegetables. A collaborator’s interest in agriculture led to the creation of a group to share information about growing crops. This is just one of the Special Interest Groups (SIGs), which arise from common interests. There are groups about everything: sports, reading, online and traditional games, personal finance, cooking, pets, and more.
Work Area
The open space on the entrance floor is divided into functional areas and glass rooms, which are used for teams that, due to the nature of their functions, need more privacy or for meetings, maintaining visual contact with the other people and activity streams.
The working model is of free and people-focused, which means that each Infraspeaker can decide to come to the office or stay working remotely each day, according to what is best for them — for their productivity, personal commitments and/or life stage -, always in alignment with their team. One thing is guaranteed: the office is always open and ready to receive collaborators.
Transparency predominates because communication is a priority. The colors of the space are clear and welcoming. Materials, such as carpet and wood, were chosen with the sound comfort in mind, due to the high ceilings in this industrial structure. In almost every room we see soundproofing panels on the ceiling and walls, with the double function of decoration.
Sense of humor and good mood are present in every detail, decoration and moments lived in this office.
Meeting Rooms
The meeting rooms are distributed between floor zero and one. Floor one is shared with another startup, which they already knew and with whom they share the meeting rooms and leisure spaces.
Each room is named after a beer brand, in line with this important ritual of celebration. There are different sizes and they are all equipped for various meeting formats — from remote to face-to-face and even for brainstorming.
The phone booths, on both floors, are connected with the rest of the open space. The carpeting and the sound comfort panels as decoration are a constant.
Kitchen and terrace
The main kitchen is on floor one, connected to the larger terrace. It is a favorite space for people to take a break, socialize, and even have a meeting or a more relaxed exchange of ideas. With high tables for a quick snack while standing, or tables where you can have your daily meals for a longer period of time, the kitchen is equipped with a microwave and refrigerator for heating or storing meals, respectively.
There is a kitchen on each floor for every moment of the day, and everyone is responsible for keeping these spaces organized. The preference, especially in good weather, is to grab a cup of coffee and go out on the terrace to talk and enjoy some sun.
Game area
The moments of games and fun are present throughout the office, with board and card games available. There is a room with a ping-pong table, which was set up by employees who are passionate about the sport.
For those who prefer to come to the office by bike, or take a break for group runs with colleagues, a shower area has been added.
Office plant
Sounds of the Office
José Forte “In the evening, I often call a new joiner at Infraspeak and we chat on the terrace. We always have fresh beer in the fridge, which helps, but it’s not even about the beer. It’s the fact that we are here in the office sharing, in an environment that is just that, sharing.”
Cláudia Fernandes “Although it’s a challenge for me because it’s my first work experience, the environment I feel every day here is very safe and gives me complete freedom to grow, make mistakes and learn from it. It’s the perfect environment to be able to evolve.”
Toby Feldman “It’s good to know that there is an office where I can talk to people. Moving country is hard and it’s important to know that I have support and people close to me here. In the office, I really like the terrace because I prefer to be outside.”
