MBK Real Estate (MBK) is an industry leader in real estate operations and development.
When a real estate company is looking to move, they know they need more than a new office space because it will be an advertisement for potential clients. After finding the perfect spot, the second most important aspect in creating an appealing endorsement is how the office is outfitted.
The survey exposed one wish-list item in particular: height-adjustable desks. “I would say, hands down, the most frequent request was stand-up desks,” continued Stokx. “That was really important to a lot of people. The frequency of the requests for stand-up desks was a little bit of a surprise.”
With an idea of the type of environment employees wanted to be able to perform at their best, and a preliminary layout of the floorplate, the next step was to find a furniture representative that would partner with them to create their envisioned space.
“We went through a process where we selected the furniture vendor,” explained Stokx. ”We interviewed three different vendors and ultimately made our decision based on the people that we interacted with and encountered. Ultimately, I think we could have gotten furniture that works for everyone, but it was about who we were working with. The ideas that they brought to the table really helped make that decision.”
While MBK’s management knew the look they wanted—modern yet functional and comfortable—the decision-making process on what furniture would fit the aesthetic and needs of the office involved physical evaluation. “There were a series of meetings where we went to the showroom, sat in a lot of chairs, looked down a lot of drawers, and raised and lowered a lot of standing desks; you know, kicking the tires.”
The physical walk-through meetings in the Corporate Business Interiors (CBI) showroom, allowed the MBK leadership team to experience new products, which positively impacted their employees. “We saw this [product] in the showroom where part of the wall within the workstations is a magnetized whiteboard. That was certainly something we had no idea was available, and we’re glad we went with it.” Stokx also added that purchasing mobile pedestals, which were nearly nixed in the decision-making process, has had a positive effect as well. “We do see them getting used throughout the office; they have been very well received.”
With much of the working space dedicated to open workstations, the design of the new office included plenty of places where employees could get away for some quiet time or more intimate conversations. These “comfort rooms” are smaller than an office, but provide users with a reprieve from the busy office environment.
Another well-liked change was the inclusion of a drop-in conference room. While other conference rooms can be reserved, keeping one non-reservable allows for flexibility as events arise. Additionally, a collaboration room outfitted with a whiteboard wall, large monitor and two translucent glass walls allows teams to meet and brainstorm, freeing up the conference rooms for more vendor-facing work.
Lastly, it was important to leadership that their team felt comfortable utilizing the kitchen and dining area, both during mealtimes and as break-out areas for solo or team work. “One of the things we did was dedicate a lot of space and a prime corner location to a large kitchen and dining area. I’m always pleasantly surprised and pleased with how much use that room gets.” With a mix of high-top tables and chairs, a dinette with long benches, and high-back chairs, there’s seating options for any project, work-personality, and need.
Ultimately, Stokx said that it was the process of designing the space that led to its success. “It was definitely a collaborative effort. Feedback from Mary Donatelle, A&D Manager at Allsteel | Gunlocke, and the team at CBI was critical because they provided practical feedback.”
Since the new MBK office space opened, it has been well received by employees, clients, and potential hires. “We’re very proud of the space and we’re proud of the fact that employees like it as much as they do. That certainly comes across when you’re talking to recruits and candidates. They ask about the space and are impressed by it.”
Project Details
Headquarters:
Irvine, CA
42,000 sq. ft.
115 Employees
Partnerships:
Corporate Business Interiors
H. Hendy Associates
Product Solutions
Seating:
Lyric™, Normann Copenhagen, Retreat™, Recharge™, Rock™
Workspaces:
Approach™, Further™, Terrace®
Tables:
Altitude®, Belong®, Transfer™, Structure™
Storage:
Essentials™, Align™
Accessories:
Pivot™, Wand™