Roar’s Pallavi Dean Uses Color Psychology to Define Work Spaces at Edelman’s Dubai Offices

“It sends a message about the powerhouse that is our DNA,” Pallavi Dean proclaims. She is referring to her firm’s name, which recently changed from Pallavi Dean Interiors to Roar. It’s that energy that has fueled 117 projects across eight countries since the studio’s founding in 2013. User experience has been key to the 37-year-old’s success. “We’re not designing to impress other designers,” she continues, “but for the people who’ll use the space.” Before even starting schematics, her team goes through a thorough interview and observation process to grasp a client’s needs, which then informs the design narrative.

Such was the case for the Dubai office of Edelman, a global public relations firm. While the 11,000-square-foot floor plan is open to encourage collaboration, Roar created a concept of “cultural villages” to serve a range of functions, inserting phone booths and small meeting rooms for quiet, heads-down work. There are playful environments for the millennial employees, and more refined spaces for senior managers and important clients. The workplace is further delineated by color: The royal blue of Edelman’s logo defines reception, IT is marked by a calming green, the creative team by an energizing yellow.

The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, and even brought teams together in unexpected ways. “It turns out,” Dean says, “the suits love the colorful and the creatives the more sedate.”