A Digital Cloud Solutions Firm Gets a Youthful New Look
The designers from Baskervill’s corporate studio helped AvePoint, a digital cloud solutions firm, create a polished yet playful environment for its new office in Richmond, Virginia’s Riverfront Plaza tower. Faced with an extremely tight schedule, the project—from initial design meeting to client move-in—was completed in only three months, proving that sometimes a tight deadline can yield some amazing (and award-winning) results.
The work included a full demolition of the existing interiors of an entire 14,000-SF floor of the tower, and the design features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide ample natural light and scenic river views which can be seen from any vantage in the office. The resulting design is contemporary and modern while maintaining the tech firm’s youthful yet down-to-business style.
When was the project completed?
November 2016
How much space (SF)?
9,489 SF
Was this new or renovated space?
Renovated space
SF per person?
124 SF per person
How many employees?
76
Describe your work-space types.
The space’s open floor plan is ideal for out-of-the-box communication and collaboration. Open work stations are surrounded by a mix of private conference rooms, open collaboration spaces and offices enclosed in glass.
What kind of meeting spaces are provided?
Two enclosed glass rooms, three partially enclosed rooms, and four open and casual meet-up areas.
What other kind of support space or amenity spaces are provided?
Colorful built-in storage units, adaptive lighting and a live moss wall add depth and whimsy to the space. Custom art by a local mural artist is a focal point of the design and the perfect accompaniment to the office’s new wellness zone. Complete with gaming systems, bean bag chairs, Ping-Pong, a basketball court and space for office yoga, the zone complements AvePoint’s fresh, active culture.
What is the project’s location and proximity to public transportation and/or other amenities?
AvePoint’s office is in Riverfront Plaza, a 22-story office building in downtown Richmond that sits next to the James River, one of the country’s only Class IV rivers to cut through a large metropolis. The river has retained much of its natural beauty—on any given day, you’ll see kayakers and paddle-boarders on the river alongside herons, hawks, and eagles. The tower is also located along several pedestrian and cyclist thoroughfares, including the Canal Walk, and the Virginia Capital Trail, which is part of the East Coast Greenway. So it’s unsurprising that the city has attracted a number of active and outdoorsy young professionals clamoring for workspaces and cultures that reflect a sense of adventure, teamwork, and flexibility—offices just like this new space for AvePoint.
Was the C-suite involved in the project planning and design process? If so, how?
Because of the project’s aggressive schedule, communication was critical during the design process. Two executives from the company’s C-suite were included during planning and design by nimbly answering questions, providing feedback, and approving the design direction.
Please describe any program requirements that were unique or required any special research or design requirements.
Because of the building’s location next to the James River, part of the design mandate included having access to panoramic views from all locations within the office. Naturally, this directive informed much of the programming and floor plan, ultimately creating an open office layout.
Was there any emphasis or requirements on programming for health and wellbeing initiatives for employees?
While the layout provides abundant natural light and sweeping river views, the programming requirements also dictated an earmarked zone for wellness, both physical and mental. AvePoint’s employees can enjoy a quick yoga break or shoot a few hoops on the mini basketball court, or they can strike up a friendly office rivalry on one of the zone’s gaming systems. It’s all about choice and flexibility—giving AvePoint’s team a variety of options within the space so they can take mental breaks that are refreshing and, ultimately, productive.
Were there any special or unusual construction materials or techniques employed in the project?
Because of AvePoint’s lively corporate culture, there was ample room to play with whimsical yet strategic design elements. A custom-built resin light installation was sourced from an old department store and allows the user to set specific colors on rotation. A focal wall covered in live moss panels offers a low-maintenance feature, all while tying together the space’s bright colors and show-stopping river views.
What were the major furniture products used?
A combination of Steelcase furniture, Fatboy bean bag chairs and vintage pieces were used to create the look.
What kind of branding elements were incorporated into the design?
AvePoint’s branding palette is streamlined and sophisticated, with blacks, grays and a punch of red. So the palette of the space was equally simple—whites and greys abound, serving as a clean backdrop for streaks of bright colors on select walls, the custom light fixture and the furniture. One of the glass conference rooms also offered a fun opportunity for designers to incorporate AvePoint’s logo on a sliding barn door.
What is the most unique feature of the new space?
One of the office’s focal points includes a custom-built cubby wall, which provides both functional storage for AvePoint’s mobile staff and separation between differing zones.
What kind of technology products were used?
All of the meeting spaces—both formal and informal—have videoconferencing technology. The office as a whole also employs the use of white noise, which keeps ambient noise at bay.
Tell us more!
Creating an office space for AvePoint that reflected the company’s vision and culture—all in the span of three months—resulted in the design team winning the Best Urban Office award from the Greater Richmond Association for Commercial Real Estate.
