workplace culture

Ready-2-Xecute

The genesis of this transformation traces back to Joel Hale, former NFL player and captain of The Ohio State University football team, whose entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish R2X Logistics in 2020. What began as a small venture grew rapidly into a thriving enterprise, expanding from a modest two-person operation to a robust team of over a hundred employees in less than two years. With growth came the need for a space that not only reflected R2X’s spirit but also served as a catalyst for positive change in the neighborhood. Enter the old Angi’s List office space and adjacent buildings, ripe for repurposing into R2X’s new corporate headquarters.

Spanning approximately 27,000 square feet across three conjoined buildings, the headquarters’ focal point became the 9,700 square feet space within the center building. Here, the essence of the project unfolded, marrying the rich history of the original 1904 structure with modern functionality and design.

Central to R2X’s mission was the cultivation of a thriving corporate culture, where every employee felt valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Drawing inspiration from Joel’s football career, where teamwork and personal growth were paramount, the vision for the R2X “Players’ Lounge” and office project was born.

From the outset, the team was tasked with navigating the constraints of a limited budget while maximizing the inherent character of the existing building.

Within the reimagined walls of the R2X Corporate Headquarters, a sanctuary for employee well-being blossoms, weaving together elements of fitness, nourishment, and camaraderie. Rooted in the belief that a thriving workforce is the cornerstone of success, R2X’s commitment to holistic wellness permeates every corner of the space, fostering a culture of vitality and connection.

A state-of-the-art fitness center is thoughtfully curated to inspire movement and mindfulness. Adjacent to the fitness center, a culinary oasis awaits, where healthy food options abound, and nourishment takes center stage. Planned chef lunches, served with a side of camaraderie and conversation, transform mealtime into a communal experience, fostering connections that transcend the confines of the dining table.

But perhaps the true magic of the Players’ Lounge lies in its ability to bring the R2X community together, forging bonds that extend beyond the confines of the office. Whether it’s a casual chat over coffee, a team-building exercise, or a wellness workshop, the Players’ Lounge serves as a catalyst for connection, unity, and growth.

Amidst the sleek lines and bustling activity of the R2X Corporate Headquarters, a gentle giant roams the halls, his presence a source of comfort and joy for all who cross his path. Meet Hank, Joel’s beloved Great Dane, whose wagging tail and soulful eyes bring an extra dose of warmth to the vibrant culture of R2X.

As you wander through the halls of the R2X Headquarters, you can’t help but feel a sense of reverence for the building’s storied past and a deep appreciation for the vibrant, dynamic space it has become. Here, against a backdrop of history and heritage, colors collide, and light dances, creating a space that is as rich and multifaceted as the community it serves.

Clif Bar

Clif Bar is a private company guided by Five Aspirations focused on sustaining their business, brands, people, community, and the planet. When they set out to design a renovation and expansion of their Indianapolis facility, it was crucial that their chosen design firm embraced a like-minded approach to incorporating biophilic design, renewable energy, repurposed materials, and locally-sourced materials. The two-story addition doubled the size of their office space while providing a work environment that is centered around the well-being of their employees. Not a single facet of the design was proposed without linking it back to direct evidence that such a feature would matter to the people who would inhabit the space.

Biophilic Design was crucial in creating an interior and exterior that would be an invigorating and comfortable environment for workers who spend long shifts indoors. Drawing on inspiration from the native Indiana geology, the building is clad in rough limestone detailed to express horizontal strata, and utilizes shading devices which draw upon the complexity and order of natural patterns, creating a soft play of light similar to that of a deciduous woodland.

These themes of prospect and refuge continue inside, offering dynamic double-height spaces in which to host all-hands meetings, as well as intimate nooks for private rest and respite. By express intention, every single employee has the same arrival experience and amenities. Bakery staff and office workers alike are intermixed in social spaces under skylights and at critical building zones. Given prominence due to the people it serves, the employee breakroom occupies the outer portion of the second floor. It is afforded sweeping view of the outdoors, and is uniquely branded to reflect the spirit and diversity of Clif Bar’s employees.

CSO’s design process was enhanced through workplace research data provided by DORIS Research as well as input on biophilic design features from Terrapin Bright Green, who has developed biophilic design strategies for other Clif Bar facilities.

MJ Insurance Corporate Headquarters

MJ Insurance is a national insurance firm headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. The company opened in 1964 with four employees and, upon moving into their new headquarters, had grown into a national firm with over 150 employees at their Indiana location alone. The design team led MJ Insurance through an involved visioning process, culminating in a series of principles to guide the project. These principles had a central theme: capitalize on and enhance an already positive company culture.

While many companies in the insurance industry build offices with high walls, MJ Insurance set out to buck norms. They moved to a highly collaborative open office environment unique to their industry. In order to support this culture-promoting design decision, the team included conference rooms, enclaves, and focus rooms of many shapes and sizes to ensure that both morale and productivity would increase in the new space. Designers worked to provide the right furniture solutions to support an open work environment with a strong need for both collaboration and privacy. Company leadership showed their commitment to the design by joining the employees in open office workstations.

The culture at MJ Insurance centers around six core values: Passion, Leadership, Personal Development, Incremental Growth, Innovation, and Fun. These values drove the entire design – from the open office configuration to the centrally located social areas – but they are most evident in a consistent branding concept. MJ’s boardroom connects to the lobby with a glass storefront, which allows a branded art installation to span the two spaces. At the far end of the conference room is a white grid with vibrant yellow plus signs at many of the intersections. That grid becomes a series of extruded white-and-yellow plus signs of various heights and sizes, suspended from the ceiling and streaming into the lobby until they end over the monumental stair. The grid represents the discipline required for leadership, personal development, and incremental growth while the shape and color of the plus signs connect to MJ’s values of passion and fun. The company instantly connected with the installation and used the concept to relaunch their national brand.

MJ Insurance asked for an infusion of fun in their space. Sliding felt panels, a carpet pattern developed, and a unique series of branding elements did just that for this hard-working group.