AES is “a global power company that owns and operates a diverse and growing portfolio of electricity generation and distribution businesses, which provide reliable, affordable energy to customers in 18 countries.” When they moved into a brand new office space in 2014, they brought Orange Element in to concept, design, and execute an environmental branding program.

We entered the process when the physical design and layout of the space were already complete. As a result, our challenge was to apply strategic brand thinking to available space, with a goal of marrying the architectural decisions to AES brand values. In the end, our work had to satisfy the client’s goal of creating a seamless, engaging, modern working environment.

We worked collaboratively with both AES and their architecture team to survey the existing space and identify opportunities for developing branded space. Once the survey was complete, we identified an opportunity to develop “brand panels” — storytelling panes that tie the physical space together while at the same time shedding light on AES’ values, culture, and work. We further accented the brand panels with finer details such as signage, wayfinding, and frosted glass.

The design and development was completed in mid-2014 and has been serving the AES team well as they enter their second year in the new space.