Reebok Headquarters — Boston, Massachusetts
A 30,000-square-foot flagship gym energizes Reebok’s active workforce and embodies the brand.
In this era of record low unemployment, it’s no secret that competition for top talent is fierce and today’s employees tend to move on after three years on the job. Companies have countered with a slew of incentives to attract and keep good people, including better benefits and more fun office environments. But the newest office designs are pulling out all the stops — offering choices in when and where to work, placing more emphasis on purpose, providing places for social interaction, and adding interactive installations that engage their people.
“It’s not just about desks, offices, and conference rooms anymore,” says Gensler’s Tom Vecchione. “It’s about engagement — specifically a focus on the individual and supporting the uniqueness and value that comes from each person.”
TELEGRAPHING THE MISSION
To attract talent, workplaces need to have a strong identity that telegraphs their mission. “The war for talent is fiercer and more competitive across a broader landscape,” says Gensler’s Amanda Carroll. “Creating distinct experiences that reflect your brand, your values, and your mission is essential.” Cultivating a sense of purpose has other benefits, as Gensler’s 2016 U.S. Workplace Survey found. The payoff: employees at the top innovative companies report more meaning and purpose in their work.
Grounding employees in mission and purpose drove the design for the new Hyatt Global Headquarters in downtown Chicago, which houses the iconic hospitality company’s strategic leadership, marketing, tech, and support teams. “The big ‘aha moment’ was, let’s not think of this simply as a place to work,” says Gensler’s Randy Howder. “Instead, let’s think of it as a test bed for how we conceive of the guest experience.” From the moment an employee steps into Hyatt’s wood- and terrazzo-accented lobby, the space projects tactile comfort. Food and beverage is a big emphasis, as are casual social spaces. More importantly, the headquarters is designed to spur new ways of thinking about hospitality.
CHOICE MATTERS
The workplace is increasingly diverse, and those differences in people create a demand for spaces that are curated around variety, accommodating different ways of working. This is leading companies to seek alternative solutions from outside the boundaries of workplace design. They are looking to universities and research labs to cultivate innovation. Or they emulate hospitality or residential models to foster collaboration, connectivity, and a culture of transparency.