Emerging from the other side of a global pandemic has challenged many organizations with reimagining their workspaces to embrace new ways of working and support ever-evolving needs. HOK, a leading design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm, has not only had to advise clients on navigating this new landscape of work but also has had to solve for these dramatic design shifts within their own spaces.
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Presented with the opportunity to expand its presence in Miami, HOK collaborated with Allsteel and their dealer partner, Compass Office Solutions to create a design studio in Coral Gables, Florida that would mirror the spirit and warm hospitality of the area. Located on a popular pedestrian boulevard, HOK’s studio features an interior space that is colorful and inviting, reflecting the vibrant energy of its South Florida neighborhood. The space design also clearly embodies the firm’s goals of flexibility, comfort, and approachability.
"Allsteel won us over with their customer service and attention to detail. Everything was so well-thought-out, and the solutions they offered addressed our needs for aesthetics, ergonomics, and future scalability, perfectly aligning with our vision. This investment sets us up for long-term success, giving us the agility and flexibility we need moving forward."
Steven Burgos, Director of Design, Interiors, HOK
"We had a unique opportunity in Miami to leverage our own research and observations to create a space that actually walks our talk,” said Steven Burgos, Director of Design, Interiors at HOK Miami. “The resulting design not only effectively addresses the evolving dynamics of work but also provides a highly engaging experience for both our employees and visiting clients.”
At the heart of HOK's Miami studio design is its commitment to adaptability and choice, focus on employee well-being, and support for the hybrid working model. The front of the studio features a vibrant social hub with floor-to-ceiling windows offering abundant daylight and views of the pedestrian boulevard below. This area not only serves as a lively meeting spot but also showcases HOK and its team’s creative processes to passersby. Infusing hospitality within the space, a welcoming lounge lies adjacent to the social hub, complete with a coffee bar and serving station featuring scallop tiles and recessed wall arches reminiscent of Miami's iconic Art Deco architecture. Well-appointed meeting rooms, including a spacious conference room and two huddle rooms, act as a buffer between the bustling social spaces in the front and the serene, focused workspaces at the back.
HOK recognized early in its design process the need for a workspace that could accommodate rapid growth and shifting work behaviors. "Being a small studio, things can change quickly as teams and work styles evolve," noted Burgos. "We designed the space with hybrid working in mind and to support neurodiversity. While our space needed to feel entirely approachable, it also needed to allow for maximum flexibility."
studio also needed to cater to individual work preferences by offering choice in settings and postures and to accommodate varying meeting sizes and dynamics, making the selection of furniture and layout crucial. Allsteel's expertise in crafting ergonomic and adaptable solutions became a natural fit for this ambitious project. For individual work points, the Mural benching system with its height adjustability, ability to incorporate privacy and personalization, and thoughtfulness in how power is integrated and accessed emerged as a standout choice. Park plant stands were also purposefully interspersed throughout, incorporating elements of biophilia and creating space division. And the use of boldly colored 06 task seating with its focus on passive ergonomics ensured HOK’s team members experienced uncomplicated comfort.
The design for the Miami studio exemplifies the firm's commitment to embracing change and shaping spaces that inspire creativity, connection, and well-being. Through its partnership with Allsteel and Compass, HOK has successfully translated its vision into a physical reality championing adaptability and employee choice while reflecting Miami's vibrant and welcoming essence. The dynamic new space also has served as a highly effective model and idea starter for visiting clients.
"We’re showcasing the different ways people can come together in this new hybrid world of work," said Burgos. “But more importantly, we’re also demonstrating to our clients that a well-designed space can seamlessly integrate the needs of the present while laying the foundation for the future.”