SGA tapped its own creative team to design and deliver its new 20,000-square-foot headquarters at
99 High
which leveraged the firm’s 30+ years of commercial expertise to create a space rooted in the future of workplace design.
In 2022 and guided by a set of established firm principles, SGA embarked on the process of identifying, designing, and building a new workspace that would embody the SGA culture, empower its commitment to flexible work, and reflect the firm’s purpose: ‘Embrace the Endeavor, Inspire the future.’ It was a compelling opportunity to drive forward our belief in modern ways of work and the spaces that empower these practices.
Rooted in our expertise, we front-loaded the discovery process, soliciting data and insights from our expert teams. We leaned into the integrated process that we regularly lead for industry-leading companies as they transition into flexible, high-performing, sustainable spaces. This laid the groundwork for our change management process and a smooth transition that also enhanced our culture.
The result is an accessible environment that empowers employees across generations and tenure to leverage the physical workspace as an asset. The dynamic space is designed with flexibility at its core and supports intentional, in-person collaboration and hybrid work. By foregoing a 1:1 ratio of people to desks, we provided a more significant percentage of space as “second” and “third” work zones, including project rooms and focus rooms, amenity spaces, and meeting areas to support a variety of tasks, patterns, and neurodiversity. Additional shared spaces, such as our polished front refresh area and internal employee cafe, provide an opportunity for an alternate work setting and spaces for both internal and external gatherings.
Rooted in data collected from our initial employee surveys and envisioning sessions, we created a dynamic desking solution that includes areas for both flex-deskers and assigned seats, catering to individual preferences and allowing for growth over time. The data shows that our employees are already feeling more deeply engaged and satisfied with the changes we’ve made to their workplace environment.
Lighting plays a crucial role in enhancing the ambiance, with a blend of natural light and modern fixtures that provide optimal illumination while contributing to the overall aesthetic. Meanwhile, greenery and natural surfaces throughout the space bring a touch of nature indoors, further contributing to the well-being and productivity of employees and aligning with wellness and biophilic design principles.
The entryway is a focal point. In lieu of a graphic overlay, our logo is an object in space, revealing the SGA brand as employees and clients enter the office.
Environmental stewardship is another of the firm’s areas of expertise, so a commitment to sustainable and well-being-focused materials and FF&E that adhere to circular economy principles was given.
Throughout our Journey to 99 High, we remained committed to the pillars of our unique culture and the approach that we have honed over decades and our vision for the future of workplace design.
Client
SGA
Location
Boston, MA
Area
20,000 SF