A Space for Everyone
When designing a new home for their cloud computing teams, our client wanted to further activate the existing innovation ecosystem in the Greater Houston area. Incorporating a customer-focused innovation center and team-based neighborhoods creates a collaborative environment for the engineers to develop ideas and to engage with the local energy community. The interior concept is regionally relevant to Houston with a specific focus on the spirit of exploration and food culture.
The new Energy Acceleration Center sits at the literal and figurative heart of the workspace. The center has a large multi-purpose room, several breakout rooms, as well as all the amenities the teams need to have multi-day workshops together. A showpiece of the space is the large communal work table made from Sensitile Terrazo. The table utilizes hundreds of light-conducting channels embedded in the fine terrazzo slab to create a dynamic expression of light and shadow.
Located in a former Sears and Roebucks building, the office is LEED Gold and FitWell certified. Sustainable and renewable materials are used throughout the Energy Accelerator and the workspaces. Each of the team neighborhood’s features a laser-cut felt wallcovering that is PVC free and contains 95% post-consumer recycled content. This creates an inherently healthy environment while the regionally relevant design establishes a sense of place for stakeholders and visitors.
We went above the current ADA requirements to ensure that all counters are at an appropriate accessible height and that all table bases allow for full front approach. The design team also collaborated extensively with the facilities group and outside consultants to ensure that all Braille signage is completely accurate.
The Houston project is a beta-test for mentorship where a veteran-owned General Contractor (HITT) teamed with a local minority supplier (B.Bell) to deliver the project. Along with the Project Management team, Abramson Architects assisted the contractor in prequalifying diverse subcontractors, suppliers, and installers. Abramson Architects was a hands-on partner, continuously educating these enterprise firms about delivering to our client’s high standards.
