There’s no doubt that collaboration is key in the workplace today, but is it possible to truly optimize offices for teamwork? When firm FCA designed their own Philadelphia headquarters, the architects were inspired by the concept of intersections at every level, from streets to interactions among colleagues.
The architects began looking at spaces in the middle of the pandemic in 2021, working remotely yet already envisioning a more meaningful workplace. “When we started our search, we did everything remotely and all of the trappings of digital,” said Ann Hoffman, director of workplace strategies at FCA. “We kept thinking about building space that would give us a reason to come together again.”
Photography by Jeffrey Totaro
By reviewing where different crossings are found, from highways to geodesic domes, and even the roads in Spain, the team was able to expand on the idea of intersections in every facet of life. They applied it not only to interior design, but the bodies and minds of individuals. “The broad thoroughfares in Barcelona have intersections that are so big that there is the widest view of the city in the center,” Hoffman noted. “That made sense to us as a deeper explanation of what we wanted to achieve. Intersections is a term that we use for both physical and psychological.”
Gathering information that will help shape office design often includes months of conducting interviews with employees, brainstorming sessions, and initial sketches. However, in the post-pandemic era, respondents’ perceptions have shifted, and standard surveys may only reveal specific requests rather than elements that are the best for everyone in a company. “I began to see this trend where people weren’t coming to the questions with answers that addressed the collective we,” Hoffman said. “Because we have been isolated for so long, we have become self-focused. We gave up the surveys and looked at neuroscience.”
In particular, they learned more about prospect and refuge theory, which suggests that humans prefer environments where they can view their surroundings (prospect), while being protected from above and behind (refuge). By creating a variety of spaces that allow people to feel safe, they are likely to spend productive time in the office. Hoffman detailed the three categories that make up FCA’s intersections approach:
Layout
Hoffman explained that a thoughtful layout creates “comfort that is subliminal,” and encourages team collaboration. The Philadelphia headquarters serves as a meeting point, fostering opportunities for interaction and the exchange of ideas. The areas in the office allow for fluid movement. Rather than barriers or cubicles that create an antiseptic feeling, the interior has added warmth.
“We have these segmented, perforated boundaries that are not hard,” Hoffman noted. “They are made with furnishings and draperies, which creates just enough of a shield.” Indeed, the designers prioritized a balance between open and closed, preferences that can change often depending on mood or type of task being completed. “There are little enclaves, almost like the rooms of your house, where one is close to the next. Soft boundaries can also be easily removed, so if we have to renovate, we will not be tearing down walls and throwing things away,” she added.
Diverse Space Typologies
With 19 diverse space typologies available, from focus to huddle rooms, individuals can decide how they want to work on a day-to-day basis, but are there too many to choose from? “I think it’s really smart,” Hoffman explained. “Every space becomes another place to work if you make it multifunctional. Our central cafe, for example, is a place where you can sit and work or have lunch. It’s also a place for special events or happy hours. There isn’t a space that was designed for single-use.”
These options give staff members some of the freedom they had when they were off-site.“That’s very attractive to people, to have the autonomy they had to give up when they returned to office,” Hoffman said. She noted that each work setting offers flexibility, whether it is lights with dim-to bright settings or adjustable desks or monitors. “We built in user-control because people value the ability to choose their own level of comfort.”
Wellness
The intersections approach to design promotes wellness, sustainability and inclusivity through biophilic elements, natural light, and adaptable furniture. Hoffman noted that plants are now a staple, and while they did include greenery, they also experimented with hues to provide a sense of calm. “We did a lot with color, and honestly, it is something that everybody wanted, because we had white and gray in the office before,” she added. “So we did some identification of areas by color, in certain tones that make people happy.”
While abundant daylight is crucial to well-being, artificial light can enhance our spaces and be just as impactful. “Different lighting levels come into play when we talk about wellness. We can tune our lighting; stronger in areas for work, and lower in lounge areas for a restorative effect,” Hoffman said.
Completed last year, the Philadelphia headquarters has exceeded the expectations of the staff. As architects, Hoffman said that they are often their own harshest critics, but remarked that “not one person has complained about the space.” She added that there is palpable energy within the office that’s harnessed when they gather. “Our innovation comes from being together here.”