THE WORKPLACE OF THE 21st CENTURY

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THE WORKPLACE TODAY?

The pressures that we all find in the workplace today have created a need to re-think how we work. There is a need to be holistic in evaluating what is important. This includes 3 questions: what makes up a productive environment, what is best for the individuals that make up the team, and how do we make the environment enjoyable and uplifting?  H/S Architects’ approach to this includes 3 distinct goals: (1) create a better environment for visitors and employees, (2) attract talent, and (3) be innovative. It is our belief that the work environment should offer a PALETTE OF PLACE that allows employees to choose where they want to work; offer a PALETTE OF POSTURE that allows employees to work standing up, sitting down, or while moving; provide spaces for COLLABORATION, as well as FOCUSED WORK; provide NATURAL LIGHTING for employee WELLBEING; and make the space UNIQUE to the company and its work. Below are examples of projects where H/S has applied this philosophy.

Reily Foods Co.

The Reily Foods Co. interior tenant build-out in New Orleans was a substantial move for the company that had previously been housed in the same historic building for over 100 years. This project provides a progressive design approach while being sensitive to the company’s history.  This was done by incorporating the history of the company, as well as the branding of many iconic food products the company distributes, into the design of the new space. A large amount of glass was used on the interior offices to allow natural light to flow throughout the space. Since many employees are located in an open office environment, they were given ample natural lighting, as well as the best views of the city. The result was a progressive, collaborative office space which pays a modern tribute to its century-old tenant.
General Contractor: Palmisano

Envoc

Envoc is an innovative, full-service digital agency. H/S designed Envoc’s office space based on the way its own website was divided: Think, Work, Play. This created continuity between the company’s brand and its work space. The space is divided into zones of Think, Work, Play. The Think Zone includes collaborative/meeting spaces. The Work Zone includes offices and other individual works spaces. The Play Zone includes the hospitality room, lounge, and swing area. The accent colors used in the space also came directly from Envoc’s branding for further continuity. Envoc was so pleased with the design, they have reported that employee productivity increased substantially, sometimes as much as eight-fold.
General Contractor: Hill Construction.

Scotia Howard Weil New Orleans

Scotia Howard Weil New Orleans is an energy investment boutique owned by an international banking institution. Its 16,000 square foot office space was completely gutted and received a design overhaul. The new design is sleek and modern, boasting large open spaces with vast views of the New Orleans skyline. The space includes high profile client areas such as the lobby, board room, and conference room; and employee areas, such as the large open sales and trading floor, smaller phone rooms, and a large breakroom, providing a variety of spaces for employees to collaborate or work individually. The renovated space provides a modern design for a progressive, international company.
General Contractor: T.A. Held Construction Co.

1400 Poydras

The 1400 Poydras building in New Orleans was originally the Lord & Taylor department store, then a make-shift medical clinic for LSU following Hurricane Katrina. The 100,000 square foot, 3-level interior was gutted, and 80,000 square foot of it was redesigned to house office space for Ochsner Health Systems’ administrative departments. The adaptive reuse project completely transformed the building into a bustling hub of activity. While the space plan is dense in order to house 500 employees, it also offers break out spaces and areas that encourage movement and collaboration.  H/S handled the space planning, design, construction documents, and FF&E, as well as served as the move coordinator for the 10-phase project.
General Contractor: Woodward Design + Build
Building Manager: Corporate Realty

Clients who choose Holly & Smith Architects experience a design process informed by open dialogue, confidence and collaboration. As a regional design firm with offices in New Orleans and Hammond, La., we have the depth to handle the most demanding projects while our leadership team remains intimately involved from conception to completion. Contact us to see if we’re the right choice for your project.

Holly & Smith Architects, APAC
208 North Cate St. / Hammond LA 70401 / 985.345.5210
2302 Magazine St. / New Orleans LA 70130 / 504.585.1315