A Hospitality-Driven HQ for a Tech Firm in Los Angeles

MAWD took aim at a new look to the workplace for their confidential tech firm client in Los Angeles, California and delivered.

Global design studio MAWD | March and White Design recently completed a technology company’s Los Angeles Headquarters. The office space was strategically designed to support overall employee experience by balancing collaborative spaces with spaces that maximize individual (and group) focus. MAWD’s design placed emphasis on diverse meeting spaces — ranging from small tech enabled video conferencing rooms to formal board rooms, casual spaces for collaboration, and everything in between.

The project champions two distinct user pathways which optimizes the spatial experience of both clients and employees. Tailoring the journey for two distinct cohorts allowed the design studio to maximize overall square footage, while meeting the needs of campus residents and guests.

One of the main design challenges for MAWD was to conceive an interior look and feel that was warm, welcoming, and hospitality driven. MAWD used warm wood, bronze, and brass metals which provides a contrast to the soft fabrics and paint colors used in the project. Moving away from the traditional notion of what a tech office ‘should’ look and feel like, MAWD’s work fused an interior program with exciting amenities, creating a hospitality buzz within the space.

Designed for Collaboration 

Designed for the post-pandemic tech worker, MAWD worked closely with FORGE, the project’s Architects of Record to prioritize collaborative spaces, allocating an entire floor to meeting space. FORGE’s early involvement was essential, as the AOR used employee surveys to inform the office’s spatial planning. What sets these collaborative spaces apart is the level of diversity built into these rooms. There are smaller tech enabled huddle rooms for groups of two or three to hop on a quick video conferencing call. There are formal board rooms to support executive and emerging leadership. For casual meetings, MAWD designed flexible spaces with comfy sofas, which provides the perfect backdrop for ideation and team-building activities. 

Room for Privacy

While collaboration and connectivity are key, MAWD worked to ensure employees have ample access to privacy, prioritizing spaces for concentration and deep work. Framery phone and work booths have been custom wrapped to match the office’s design profile. Furthermore, specialty floors have been carved out for teams that require greater focus, such as dedicated engineering floors, which have been designed with increased privacy and flexibility to minimize distractions. Collaborative spaces were thoughtfully designed with walls that can be added and removed to facilitate meetings that quickly expand from smaller to larger groups. 

Design Profile + Environmental Impact

MAWD worked with the existing building to maximize the use of reclaimed materials. The studio tore up old carpet to uncover original concrete flooring, which was polished and left exposed. This, coupled with exposed ceilings provides a tech-friendly, industrial backdrop to the space. Working with local craftsmen, MAWD forged a collaborative relationship with the locally based O’Ryan studio, who built the project’s decorative lighting fixtures. For millwork, MAWD worked with Artcrafters, the locally based Los Angeles studio who outfitted the project in a beautiful walnut, appearing most notably in the project’s primary stairwell. 

What’s Next for Office Amenities

With over three floors of amenity space, MAWD worked to include meaningful social and communal experiences for all. Set in Southern California, the design studio leaned into a strong indoor-outdoor connection, programming several outdoor terraces with amenities such as multiple lounge areas, outdoor team spaces, and BBQ stations. With views of the San Gabriel Mountains, the inclusion of outdoor space allows employees to take a break, and recenter themselves with an outdoor lunch before heading back inside. 

Indoors, lounge spaces are plentiful, creating casual places for employees to meet, catch up on early morning emails, and have impromptu collaborative sessions. In addition to ample lounge space, MAWD designed a technology fueled brand-experience space, library area, pantry kitchen, full bar, and five-a-side soccer pitch for employee use.

Environmental Impact

Environmental considerations include LEED fixtures and smart lighting, which employs sensors that maximize natural light, while minimizing the use of interior lighting on bright and sunny days. In terms of FF&E, MAWD worked with local furniture suppliers to outfit a diverse array of working and amenity floors. The level of sophistication and comfort was a priority for MAWD’s team, who aimed to create a comfortable and warm place to work. Oversized “comfy” couches were selected alongside a diverse array of chairs and seating options for employees to find their favorite working spot within the office’s lounge spaces.

Most Unique Feature

With the tech company’s founders being soccer fans, MAWD created an indoor soccer pitch for a pre-existing league. This unique office amenity made smart use of raw basement space, with mesh metal covers for the pitch’s lighting fixtures, so employees can test their strength after the work day.

Products 

• Orion – custom lighting
• Loloey – custom specialty floors rugs
• Artcrafters – working floor millwork
• Seeley Brothers – specialty floor millwork
• DKMR – custom furniture
• Tangram – furniture dealer
• Steelcase – workstations
• Uhuru – conference tables
• Flor & Bentley – carpet / rugs
• Dragos Marble – Penthouse Reception desk stone + Founders offices stone
• Arktura – Training Room ceiling

Connectivity for All 

Beyond collaboration alone, MAWD worked to design a campus where connectivity among employees was prioritized. The design studio introduced a new connective staircase between the primary working floors, wrapping it in wood and glass to not only connect the space, but to add transparency and visibility within the office. Lighting fixtures that resemble “globes of light” float down the staircase, visible to several floors. With meeting rooms perched above the stairwell, individuals can ‘peer’ into this stairwell, which is illuminated by these light-filled vessels.

Designing for Multiple User Pathways 

Working directly with the client’s needs, MAWD designed two unique user pathways: one for internal employees, and a second dedicated to clients. Creating these two spatial journeys allowed the design studio to maximize space, while fully customizing the experience. Employees are guided through the Lobby towards working and amenity floors, while clients are guided through the Lobby towards demonstration studios, where they can explore and be trained in the company’s software.

This office space pushes the boundaries of what we expect from a workplace. The campus has been designed to push innovation, collaboration, and impromptu social interaction. We’ve listened to employees — and gleaned research on how they work best, what they need to succeed, and the infrastructure that will allow them to excel.

— Elliot March, MAWD Co-Founder

Interiors – MAWD
Founded in 2010 by Elliot March and James White, MAWD | March and White Design is an award-winning interi- or design firm, stands at the intersection of luxury, innovation, and unparalleled design experiences. Operating globally from London, New York, and Los Angeles, MAWD fuses global insights with unmatched craftsmanship, creating spaces that resonates deeply, stir emotions, and set new benchmarks in design. 

Architect of Record – FORGE
Established in 1980, FORGE is a multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design firm bringing decades of ex- pertise to projects through a holistic, tailored approach. With a deep commitment to stakeholder experience, our collaborative team seamlessly blends creativity and functionality. FORGE aims to provide stakeholders with an exceptional experience while achieving project success. 

Construction – MATA
Founded in 2008 by Nickolas Mata, MATA Construction is a minority owned and multi-generational contractor. Our talented team of industry experts are dedicated to delivering high-quality projects across a diverse range of market sectors with a hands-on approach.

Photography

All Photos from MAWD

People’s Choice Finalist!

The 2024 Next Work Environment Competition Office Design category had a record breaking amount of submissions this year!

The MAWD tech office was recognized as one of 12 People’s Choice Finalists in the Office Design Category.

WDM turned to the readers to pick out the space where they would most like to work. Follow along to see how each office did! To read about MAWD’s LA Tech office, click here.