Conferma: Creating a physical
&  cultural connection 

Conferma—a rapidly growing Manchester-based fintech company specialising in virtual payment systems—was scaling fast and needed to expand from a 30-person space to accommodate nearly 200. Their global ambition and emphasis on attracting top talent meant the workplace needed to be a key enabler.

The office move coincided with the development of a new brand and tone of voice, which gave the design clear creative direction. A notable aspect was simply how nice and positive the client team was to work with.

iDEA was appointed via an agent contact at HumanScale. The team led the project end-to-end—from property search, due diligence, and test fits, through to stakeholder workshops, interviews, space planning, interior design, and visualisation. They oversaw delivery and continue to support the client with ongoing updates as design “Guardians.”

The biggest challenge was the tight turnaround: 16,000 sqft had to be designed and delivered in just 12 weeks. Sketches and visualisations played a key role in speeding up client decisions. There were multiple site visits and last-minute tweaks, with the team styling the space with personal details like mugs to help it feel like home.

The launch party transformed the space into a celebration venue, and the team loved seeing it used both for work and for large-scale events. The design created a genuine sense of pride among staff.

A key feature was “The Tunnel”—a central area with a dark ceiling and flexible, informal and presentation-ready zones that encouraged collaboration and movement toward the heart of the space. Materials used reflected the brand’s tone of energy: colour-changing laminates (from peach to green), recycled plastic finishes in the kitchen, and sophisticated colour choices that felt fun without being garish.

The importance of working closely with the client throughout the process stood out. Being integrated into the team—not at arm’s length—made a real difference. The project reinforced the idea that people are the heart of any successful design, and lasting friendships formed as a result.

The client was extremely happy with the outcome, seeing the design as a strong return on investment—especially in terms of talent recruitment. 

See the final project here