1. Synapse Central
CASE STUDY

2. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
PREMISE
We sensed that Ashoka needed a physical space where teams
could come together to collaborate and share the wealth of
knowledge/expertise throughout the organization.
After listening in on a board meeting and speaking with a few
leaders, we came up with:
How might we create a space that fuels Ashoka knowledge
throughout the organization?

3. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
OVERVIEW
“I feel setbacks in the organization when there is no
collaboration across teams. Some of the experiences I want are
more informal conversations than meetings and a coworking
space where we could create value for others. Like an
engagement room instead of a traditional meeting room. It has
to be loosely structured.” [1]
There are increasing needs for Ashoka staff and collaborators to
come together in a physical space where they can think out loud
- a community space where they can best express their
ideas/projects with data and creativity.

4. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
PLAN OF ATTACK
+ Field Research
+ Analytical Research
+ Interviews and Surveys
+ Ideation Sessions
+ Pitch
+ Proposal Critique
+ Implementation Plan

5. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
EXCERPT
“Ashoka can better fulfill its vision by having better management, improving
communication, improving wisdom and knowledge sharing, and getting people
together. We don’t always need leadership or these necessary channels. We need
internal engagement systems and information flow. The culture of the room has to
be a place that can ensure performance with excellence, and have an impact of
conversations for relationship.”

6. Field Research
UNDERSTANDING

7. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
FIELD RESEARCH
We conversed with a handful of employees whose identities we
have agreed to keep confidential. We were able to collect
quantitative and qualitative data to help up make more
informed decisions.

8. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
FIELD RESEARCH
Problem Spaces
Collaboration across
teams
Informal
Conversations Too Much Structure
Culture Shift
Build Community
Idea Expression
Employee Spaces
● Changemakers Cafe
● 16th Floor Lobby

9. Synthesizing Research
DEVELOPMENT

10. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
BRAINSTORMING

11. Implementation
PROPOSAL

12. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
KEY ELEMENTS
Approach Community Knowledge Coffee
Create an intimate
space where people
can feel comfortable
and share their
thoughts and
experiences without
judgement.
Sparking conversations
in an open, coworking
style space with little
structure across
different teams.
Tools and resources to
help you express your
ideas/projects;
whiteboards, data viz,
collaborative furniture.
When you need that
pick me up.

13. SYNAPSE CENTRAL
RESULTS
Before
After