The newly relocated headquarters of this national nonprofit propels a culture rooted in teamwork by ushering employees, formerly disconnected by the built environment, into a new era of collaboration.  Floors one and two of the five-story workplace are an informal show space linked together by stadium seating and a staircase. In this highly branded ecosystem, staff can savor the offerings of a coffee bar, beverage bar, and a private dining room supported by a concealed catering kitchen. Floors three through five are organized into “neighborhoods,” complete with a range of collaborative and focus spaces, including: assigned and unassigned workstations, offices, as well as focus and team meeting rooms, that form a ring around the central atrium, allowing natural light to permeate deep into the floorplate. The client’s spirit of cooperation is further translated into an apex amenity: the “Town Hall.” This staff lounge connects to the workplace’s own media studio and features a raised platform for a more intimate seating area and access to an outdoor terrace.

The design, in turn, counterpoises the timeless against the contemporary: neutral terrazzo flooring, natural stone, and bespoke wood veneers, against 21st century furniture and bold pops of brand colors. In addition, the design is supplemented by a comprehensive graphics package developed in partnership with an environmental graphics firm to help express the client’s passion for storytelling as a cohesive visual narrative

Adds OTJ President Laura Kennington, LEED AP: “We’re thrilled to see our design work honored by this prestigious peer organization. Our team was privileged to work with a client who, like us, was eager to ask hard questions to arrive at a space that meets the organization’s current needs while also looking to its future.” This year’s IIDA MAC awards competition drew an exceptional number of superlative entries with projects ranging from less than 10,000 to over 100,000 square feet.