Oxford Properties with SGA
Focusing on the workstyle of the future, Oxford Properties partnered with SGA to create a 32,000 RSF speculative office space that provides what companies and individuals need from the workplace that the home does not provide: dynamic and flexible spaces that are safe, comfortable, adaptable, and that foster a sense of community. As we navigate coming out of the recent pandemic, one of the largest disruptors to businesses and how people interact, SGA was tasked with researching and defining the ideal office environment reimagined for today’s changing needs of employees and office culture.
Photo Cred; Ari Burling
Collaborating closely with Workflow, a service-oriented commercial furniture dealer, the design team cleverly addressed the wide spectrum of personal, team, spatial, and technological needs of today’s workers while future-proofing the space for prospective tenants. To address a healthy work environment and a reduction in the number of physical touchpoints, the floor plan was divided into distinct zones that enable employees to easily migrate to areas that are the best fit depending on the task at hand.
At the center of the space, an elevator bank and restrooms are enveloped by a supply amenity zone – providing opportunities for locker storage, pantries, sanitizing stations, and office equipment – as well as the main circulation path. Branching off of the main circulation path is where occupants can choose their destination based on their need for the day. Spaces have been broken up into various work zones and neighborhoods categorized into four types of actions: meet, ideate, retreat, and connect.
Meet:
Similar to the work environment we left behind pre-pandemic, reserve-able spaces are still essential to providing acoustically controlled rooms to facilitate two to twelve person meetings. These spaces have been rethought to also allow for those joining virtually having an equitable meeting experience to those in the room, addressing lighting controllability and screen direction to minimize background distractions.
Ideate:
Since people have learned to work from anywhere, the office is a flexible destination to aid in-person idea exchanges and collaborations that cannot typically be achieved on digital platforms. To facilitate in-person collaboration, an agile team zone is equipped with flexible furniture, wireless presentation capabilities, and acoustic materials while agile lounge zones spill outside of meeting rooms to support informal conversations.
For more focused work, open office areas are placed throughout the space in scalable neighborhoods and feature mobile workstations to adapt to a variety of team settings.
Photo Cred: Ari Burling
Retreat:
At the far corner, a quiet commons offers a respite from typical work zones and provides alternative seating options for individual heads-down work. The finishes in this particular area were inspired from biophilia and nature, meant to give individuals a sense of working “outside” a traditional office space, while also providing the best views looking towards the greenway.
Smaller meet + focus rooms are also provided to support the need for a more traditional private office space for focused work or in-person private meetings.
Photo Cred; Ari Burling
Connect:
More than ever, we’ve learned that connecting and socializing in-person is imperative to support company culture. Providing a flexible vibrant space where people can connect in a spontaneous manner is a critical draw for the workplace. The entry to the tenant space celebrates this by putting the most active pantry and open meeting environment adjacent to the front door. A glass telescoping wall provides flexibility to enlarge this space for all-hands gatherings, and a ceiling hung curtain allows the space to be visually divided from reception when needed.
Photo Cred; Ari Burling
SGA Design Team:
Gable Clarke, NCIDQ, LEED AP – Partner | President of Interior Design
Amanda Vicari, NCIDQ – Associate | Director of Interior Design
Rebecca Vooys – Interior Designer
Collaborators:
Furniture – Workflow Interiors
MEP Engineer – WB Engineers
General Contractor – Structure Tone
Structural Engineer – MacNamara Salvia
Lighting Rep – Reflex Lighting
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How do you set yourself apart from others?
Being a designer myself, I like to listen to my A&D clients and understand their vision and goals for their projects and then work on my end to provide the best solutions we possibly can to help them create inspiring spaces for their clients. It is never just a sale, their projects are my projects, we are hand in hand during this process and I take pride in our work together.
What's been the most challenging part of working remote, as a team?
As a rep, our goal is always to bring knowledge and value to the A&D community and the most challenging part of remote work is not being able to meet with designers in person. Although technology has allowed us to continue to stay relevant, the energy and interactions of an in-person meeting/presentation can’t be replaced by virtual.
What are you reading?
I was very inspired by Michele Poler, the IIDA Business Leaders Breakfast speaker this year so I am reading “Hello Fears”. I loved how she worked on expanding her comfort zone by changing the phrase “ what is the worst that can happen” (as it just brings thoughts of failure) to “what is the best that can happen” … just one word can make a big change in the way we react to things!
What advice would you give to someone entering our industry?
Be part of an organization, volunteer and participate in events. Our community is very diverse and has so much to offer and this is the best way to meet people, learn, network and find opportunities to grow in your career.
What inspires you?
Seeing the full moon rise at the beach! I have always been inspired by the idea that everything is possible and nature reminds me of that! This thought motivates me to follow my dreams and trust that through our actions we have the power of building our own future: setting our goals, doing the best we can, maintaining a positive attitude, being kind and helping people along the way.
How do you set yourself apart from others?
My main goal is to be the best design resource for the A&D community. Having experience as a designer myself, I am able to showcase my expertise and collaborate with designers, giving them the best solutions that fit their vision. Having this common knowledge allows me to get answers to them quickly and giving them a streamlined approach within their project requirements.
What's been the most challenging part of working remote, as a team?
The biggest challenge in the beginning was identifying the most streamlined approach to online collaboration. With some relevant tools within our company, we were able to pick right back up from where we were, prior to the pandemic, making the transition manageable and efficient.
What are you reading?
Being a new dad on 4/9, I have been reading, “The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide For Dads-to-Be”
What advice would you give to someone entering our industry?
Get involved and attend as many networking events! This is how I started and it has led to building some excellent relationships along the way.
What inspires you?
Knowing the fact that there is opportunity everywhere allows me to think bigger and constantly work on ways to better myself, and in turn, help others!