Whirlpool North American & Global Headquarters in Benton Harbor, MI. Photo © Tom Arban
An inspiring workplace is the personification of a good story, a compilation of brand, culture, and mission brought to life within a space where first impression counts. The front door is the ideal place to promote company culture and create brand connections for both guests and employees. It is the face of the organization but also the host, suggesting what can be expected from the company going forward. The staid reception area is gone, replaced with a cluster of interactive features intended to welcome, gather, nourish, and resonate with both visitors and staff. Simplified, the components of a good front door create a synergy of engagement, energy, and experience. IA’s renovation for Whirlpool’s Global headquarters realizes all three.
Extending well beyond traditional boundaries, the Whirlpool reception area merges with adjacent areas and features. Technology, concierge services, design elements, and amenities deliver a heightened experience. A focus on visibility and movement creates energy, while an interplay of different functions supports interaction for engagement.
Aesthetics, architecture, and the extensive use of experiential graphic design come together to promote pride of place, express brand power, and educate. Seen from the main entrance, a 2000-sq.-ft., two-story addition and grand open stair is an inviting and inspiring “wow” factor, but also practical, creating movement and connection.