Custom Design Worth The Investment?

Looking for opinions here. We’re building out our new headquarters and the architect is pushing for custom conference room design services rather than going with standard off-the-shelf solutions. The premium is significant—about 40% more than standard installations.

Their pitch is that custom design considers our specific workflow, brand aesthetics, and future needs. They’re talking about integrated displays, custom furniture with built-in connectivity, and acoustic treatments that match our interior design. Sounds great, but is it really worth it? We’re a 75-person tech startup, not a Fortune 500 company.

Has anyone here gone the custom route? Did it actually improve your meeting experience, or was it just expensive eye candy? I’m trying to justify the cost to our CFO and need real-world perspectives. Would love to hear both success stories and cautionary tales before we commit to this investment.