The cybersecurity company has a bright, community-oriented new space in Downtown San Jose.
Cybersecurity company Trend Micro hired Dallas-based interior architecture firm lauckgroup, alongside OMNIPLAN architects, to design its new San Jose offices, asking for a space that both reflected its brand and the importance it places on collaboration and community. Grays and whites define the color palette, and those are accompanied by honey-colored maple wood floors, exposed ceiling beams and a cool lighting scheme, as well as expansive windows that usher in the bright California sun.
The successful partnership and design aesthetic will continue in 2017 across several of Trend Micro’s other offices throughout the world, including São Paulo, Brazil; Austin; Dallas; Miami; and Ottawa, Ontario.
What is the address of the project?
560 S. Winchester Boulevard, Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95128
Who was the building architect?
OMNIPLAN
Who was the interior architect/designer?
lauckgroup
When was the project completed?
2016
What is the total square footage?
17,262 rentable square feet
How many total employees are there and what’s the daily population?
There are approximately 85 employees. Almost 90 percent of these employees are in the office three to four times a week.
What is the location’s proximity to public transportation and other amenities?
Because the users wanted an office in Downtown San Jose, special attention was paid to buildings that accommodated this ask. Ultimately, Trend Micro decided to sacrifice extra space to be downtown, within walking distance of restaurants, shops and public transit.
Which furniture brands/dealers were used? Please touch upon any notable products, how they were used, and if they solved a specific problem.
We sourced product from companies including WRG Texas, Herman Miller, Bernhardt, Design Within Reach, Geiger, All Modern and Maharam textiles.
Within the workspace, we used the carpet to designate zones and work areas, while creating circulation. Instead of hard lines that walls typically separate a space with, we used a gradient-patterned carpet that would meld with the next zone for a smooth transition.
Trend Micro also loves plant life, but was struggling to incorporate it into the architecture and design. We ended up designing built-in planters from industrial rolled steel and integrated them into the walls as dividers. This gave the plants a sense of space and function.
Is there a mobile work or work-from-home policy or are most of the employees there all day every day?
Employees are encouraged to come into office, but they also have the flexibility to work from home on an as-needed basis.
What percentage of the space is unassigned?
None
How is the company’s brand reflected in the space?
It was important that the office space reflected Trend Micro’s collaborative culture, so high-panel workstations were replaced with open, office-style benching. Flexible and activity-based work settings, such as huddle and meeting rooms, do the same. Trend Micro’s brand emphasis on wellness and community was reinforced through the creation of cafes, game rooms and executive briefing centers—all aimed at encouraging better employee communication, greater innovation and heightened productivity.
What is the most unique feature about the new space?
The wood slats are the most unique feature. We used maple wood to both create a cozy atmosphere that feels like home, as well as to designate zones.
We were challenged with the space’s small footprint, as the windows were small and the ceilings were high, resulting in a cramped, enclosed feel. The building also featured a large central area with heavy employee activity wrapping around its core. Ultimately, we decided to downsize the workstations and capitalize on the center of the office, installing full height glass markerboards and wood slats to signify areas for congregation and collaboration.
If the company moved out of a previous space, what was the hardest aspect of change for people?
The move from Cupertino to downtown San Jose was a big adjustment for some employees, as their workstations were downsized. Sourcing sit-to-stand desks and personal storage that doubled as a divider empowered workers with flexibility, while granting a sense of privacy and ownership over their space.
Building in extra amenities also helped combat downsized workstations. We introduced huddle and phone rooms, patios and a break and game zone that features an outdoor-seating arrangement, giving employees countless places to congregate away from their desks.
Please share any illuminating, surprising, or hoped-for results you might have gleaned from post-occupancy surveys.
At the onset of our relationship with Trend Micro, we learned that their style was more conservative than other tech companies. Having worked with a roster of tech clients, we knew the amenities and features important to the younger workforce, so we pushed the client’s boundaries and expectations. To create an office that would help attract and retain talent, a palette refresh was necessary, as the original space featured small windows and dull colors. We introduced clean and modern ancillary furniture and pops of color to enliven the interior.
The client also shared that lighting was a beloved design element in their office. During the redesign, we updated the lighting, opting for a thinner profile, as well as a cooler light temperature to better complement the sourced materials. When the client saw the new lighting scheme, they told us that they wanted to integrate it into all of their spaces, which was exciting feedback!
Please talk about any other notable aspects of the project that make it unique:
Trend Micro wanted to create a strong sense of brand continuity throughout all of their offices, so each one is designed using similar palettes and materials. While each office is unique in its design, there is a sense of fluidity and familiarity across Trend Micro’s many locations.
