ALISO VIEJO, CA—As we've been hearing more and more from the office sector, the trend toward more dynamic offices isn't just for creative and tech firms. This is demonstrated by Ware Malcomb's recently completed redux of Marsh & McLennan Insurance Agency's new Orange County office at One Polaris Way here.
Ted Heisler, VP of interior architecture and design for Ware Malcomb, tells GlobeSt.com that conservative industries such as the insurance industry are more focused on trying to attract and retain top talent and meet the needs of the next generation of workers than ever before. “To achieve this, they are looking to us to design and incorporate branding into the work space, making the traditional workplace more creative.”
Heisler says by blending elements such as collaborative and animated spaces, employees connect with the brand. “Though traditional design elements may still exist, it is the branding, animation and articulation of space around collaborative opportunities such as cafés and break rooms that help increase employee engagement.”
The insurance agency's new, 25,000-square-foot, class-A corporate-office space was designed to accommodate the growth of the insurance-brokerage firm's Orange County office. The overall office design is open and includes a reception area, large break room, open offices, collaboration space and phone rooms. Departments are grouped together to improve workflow, provide for a more collaborative work environment and enable passive learning. Three “neighborhoods” are marked by different corporate colors (blue, green, and orange), which represent each department and allow for intuitive wayfinding. Employees often refer to these colors when deciding where to meet.
The design layout incorporates the company's dual requirements of private offices and open space in a way that provides for future growth. Open work spaces have lowered panels at the workstations to provide ease of communication. These office workstations help teams who need to communicate quickly and openly, while the private offices accommodate staff who need to make confidential phone calls or hold meetings. A large break room serves as a café as well as a town-hall gathering space for employees. A custom wall covering behind the reception desk is based on the corporate logo. The hexagonal shape is repeated throughout the wall covering. The general contractor for the project was Turelk.
“MMA's new office is designed to attract and retain top talent in the insurance industry, while providing a fun and collaborative atmosphere that is reflective of their corporate culture,” said Heisler in a prepared statement. “The open design was a departure from their previous work environment, but the company has found the flexible space has exceeded their expectations in improving the everyday workflow and experience of employees.”
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Carrie Rossenfeld
Carrie Rossenfeld is a reporter for the San Diego and Orange County markets on GlobeSt.com and a contributor to Real Estate Forum. She was a trade-magazine and newsletter editor in New York City before moving to Southern California to become a freelance writer and editor for magazines, books and websites. Rossenfeld has written extensively on topics including commercial real estate, running a medical practice, intellectual-property licensing and giftware. She has edited books about profiting from real estate and has ghostwritten a book about starting a home-based business.
