To create L.L.Bean’s new headquarters, SMRT Architects & Engineers transformed a 365,000-square-foot windowless warehouse complex in Freeport, ME, into a bright and airy, showstopping workplace that celebrates the beauty of the outdoors. A physical manifestation of the global retailer’s “Be an Outsider” tagline, features and amenities throughout the facility illustrate L.L.Bean’s commitment to employee well-being. The complex design consolidated multiple campuses to create this impressive retail space, boosting employee recruiting and retention while improving workflow, optimizing energy usage, and promoting a healthier overall workplace environment.

The design team prioritized a visual connection to the outdoors. Every interior vantage point offers breathtaking outdoor views, and a serene 10,000-square-foot courtyard garden provides a peaceful retreat and outdoor workspace. Two treehouses project out of the building into the 10,000-square-foot courtyard, providing an ideal space for relaxation and informal meetings. All office areas are filled with natural light, furthering employee connection to natural surroundings. The energy-efficient building houses up to 1,500 employees, and includes a fitness facility, conference center, courtyard, health clinic, cafeteria, and kitchen, as well as a grab-n-go snack and coffee bar and multiple breakout spaces.

An outstanding example of adaptive reuse contributing to sustainability, designers strategically carved out the interior courtyard to bring more natural light into the core of the large building footprint while at the same time, adding a floor level to a portion of the building. Further, by reusing the existing building and converting a warehouse to an office, the design team was able to save 1033 metric tons of embodied carbon vs. constructing a new building.

The project scope incorporated Activity Based Planning, WELL™, and LEED™ principles, integrating equitable access to daylight and views, campus walking trails, healthy food options, and varied workspace settings. High-efficiency LED lighting is installed throughout, with a building-wide lighting control system to help reduce light pollution. As a part of L.L.Bean’s commitment to the environment and supporting the local fauna and flora habitat, native plantings are featured in the landscaping, porous paving was used in the parking lots, and a new stormwater management plan was implemented to restore the surrounding wetlands. In addition, bird deterrent film was applied to the exterior windows to mitigate bird strikes during migration season.

The Bean brand also inspired multiple design elements throughout the building, from the triple-stitch pattern found on the iconic Bean boot to the heritage plaid used in floor patterns and rugs and the use of natural materials such as wood and stone. These physical cues are subtle reminders of the company’s legacy. Cladding the building is a wood-slat screen system arranged in an undulating wave pattern that softens the building’s geometric façade. Generated in Dynamo, a parametric modeling tool, the pattern was derived from a series of local tidal charts beginning on the date of the store’s first sale.

Located in the heart of the building is a controlled environment laboratory where L.L.Bean tests the durability and performance of various products, from Bean boots to Adirondack chairs. The lab is equipped with a rain room that can produce a perfect raindrop via a recirculating water system to test products for water resistance and durability. The design intention was to accommodate a wide range of test environments for current and future products.

Collaborators:

Construction Manager – Zachau Construction
Site Engineer – Sebago Technics
Furniture and Demountable Wall Systems – Creative Office Resources
Audiovisual and IT – Connectivity Point

Company Name: Furngully

Company Establishment Date: 12/1/2020

Company Description: We provide expert contract furniture solutions that empower our clients to effortlessly upgrade their workplace, delivering exceptional value every time.

At Furngully, we believe furnishing your office space should be easy and pain-free. Your big-picture ideas always come first and drive the experience. While you envision your dream office, we build a custom strategy that turns a rendering into reality.

Company Products / Services: Furngully is a full-service office furniture dealership, specializing in space planning, furniture specification, interior construction and project management services. Simply put, we do it all! We provide a complete suite of services that has everything you need to transform your space all from one source. Whether you just purchased a new office space, are starting from scratch, or just need a few updates, Furngully is here to help.

https://www.furngully.com/services

Locations: HQ location: 769 Plain Street, Ste. E, Marshfield, MA 02050

Contacts: Kevin Burke, Founder and Principal: kevin@furngully.com | 508-328-7939
Mike Isbister, VP/Sales: mike@furngully.com | 617-697-1888
Stephen Boris, VP/Operations: stephen@furngully.com | 978-375-6526

What is the best part of being an IIDA NE Chapter Sponsor?
The best part of being an IIDA NE Chapter Sponsor is the incredible opportunity to connect with a passionate and creative community of design professionals who are pushing the boundaries of innovation in our industry. As a sponsor, I’m able to engage with and support the very people who are shaping the future of interior design, particularly in New England, where the design landscape is so dynamic.

L.L. Bean Headquarters with SMRT

IIDA New England

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