Growth requires change. For this confidential gaming studio in Madison, change meant leaving behind a shared coworking space that felt temporary and disconnected. Leadership wanted something cohesive, and employees needed a workplace worth returning to. The decision was made to expand within a two-tower complex and secure a new 12,400-square-foot unit.
This studio’s culture thrives on camaraderie and teams value playful energy. The new space had to feel fun, inclusive and unmistakably local. At the same time, it had to align with global brand standards. That tension became our opportunity to deliver interior design and a fully integrated brand experience. Every graphic, surface and detail were crafted to reinforce identity and belonging.
Since move-in, attendance has surged, proving that when workplace design reflects place, culture and purpose, it drives engagement and makes the office a destination.
Madison sits between two lakes, an isthmus that defines the city. This geography became the project’s emotional anchor. We translated the isthmus into flowing architectural gestures.
Land-water contours inspired organic lines and layered movement throughout the space.
A custom wood topographical installation defines the reception area, situating you instantly within Madison while signalling that this workplace belongs to its community.
The design evolved toward an expressive landscape narrative. Orange gradients and fluid lines replaced monochrome concepts and the isthmus became the unifying thread.
A sculptural ceiling feature carries the story forward. The wavy light spans all the way from the playtest area to the social hub. It represents rivers, terrain and movement. It also symbolises the flow between creativity and play.
This element performs multiple roles. It supports wayfinding, softens acoustics and creates visual continuity across the floorplate. In a space constrained by existing walls, that continuity matters.
We had to preserve existing private office walls to maintain HVAC and electrical infrastructure. A decision that reduced cost and protected performance. Offices remain along the perimeter and open workstations sit centrally.
Initially, the layout risked splitting the team in two, an approach that contradicted the client’s cultural goals. In response, we repositioned the gathering space and centralised the entrance, so the space feels unified rather than divided. The reception footprint is modest, but the experience is not. Ceiling colour and the wave light extend the journey toward the social hub.
Coordination added complexity. Our team led the project from Vancouver, shipping samples to Madison and San Francisco for review while a local architect and engineers ensured code compliance. Leveraging design visualisation and communication tools, our team maintained disciplined, transparent coordination across global and local stakeholders. This helped to clearly illustrating how finishes would be applied when issuing the physical sample package for review.
This studio operates under a global gaming umbrella. The workplace had to reflect both corporate standards and studio personality. We merged brand colours with intention. Vibrant orange speaks to the studio’s identity and subtle blue elements reference the parent brand.
Our team’s custom environmental graphics layer in local pride. A graphic wall near the kitchen features Wisconsin icons, including the state capitol and a nod to the badger mascot. Even playful references to cheese and regional culture appear. Framed game artwork further celebrates creative output while a custom moss feature integrates brand presence organically.
The space feels ‘comfortable tech.’ Minimalist, but warm. Playful, yet grounded.
Thais Schmitt, Senior Associate, M Moser AssociatesOur client’s previous environment had limited opportunities for meaningful interaction. The new workplace changes that dynamic. It supports collaboration through a social hub, playtest areas and informal gathering zones. A dedicated wellness room adds balance and management now sits closer to teams, reducing hierarchy and increasing connection.
The impact is measurable. Attendance increased significantly after move-in. The studio now requires a receptionist to manage traffic flow. That is the power of experience-driven design, when it reflects place, culture and purpose, people respond. This Madison studio proves that even under constraint, you can create something deeply personal and culturally resonant. A space that celebrates play and a workplace that feels like home.
Completed
2025
1,152 sq m / 12,400 sq ft
C + N Photography
