4 Critical Components Of The Modern Office Lobby
A business lobby is no longer just a lobby, but part of the tenant experience, as integral to the office job as the office itself. As the live/work/play lifestyle becomes less of a luxury and more a workplace requirement, office buildings themselves are transforming the way they interact with the employees who essentially reside in them. Through the lens of the Rockefeller Group’s renovation of the lobby of 1221 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan, Bisnow explores the four critical components of the modern office lobby.
1) Coffee bar
A number of office building lobbies are forgoing caffeine in the form of regular coffee machines, opting instead for a full coffee shop experience right at their front doors. A number of building owners, for instance, have added Starbucks franchises to great success. Rockefeller Group worked with Zibetto owner Mikael Olsson to add his Italian-esque espresso bar to the lobby of 1221 Avenue of the Americas. Zibetto has become a favorite meeting and break destination for employees and guests.
2) An overall theme
The lobby of 1221 Avenue of the Americas created a second entrance to the building on Sixth Avenue to create a de facto plaza theme in the 18K SF lobby — like a mall with multiple points of entry, depending on which stores the shopper wants to hit first. Complete with retail spots and an open, airy layout, the lobby transforms into a place for tenants to exist, rather than simply walk by.
"Over the past several years, building owners have focused their efforts on creating lobbies that are more than just spaces for employees to walk through to get to their offices," said John H. Pierce, senior vice president of design and construction for Rockefeller Group. "A building's lobby has become a place where employees gather and take advantage of the building's amenities."
3) Dedicated artwork
In an effort to marry the 21st century with the 44-year-old property’s historical entry, the Rockefeller Group commissioned artist Mark Bradford to create two, 22.5-foot-high murals opposite each other, depicting the Manhattan grid and reflecting the enormous scale of the lobby.
Employees of a bustling firm in the heart of a city live and work on the go, and an enticing work of art can ensnare the eye and invite a slower, more meditative change of pace. In the case of 1221, the Bradford murals are positioned directly above two 20-foot-long marble tables, bringing tenants together from around the building to contemplate the piece as they grab coffee, make calls or take informal, impromptu meetings.
4) Public seating and outdoor space
Dedicated green spaces bring life to a building. In its redesign of 1221, Rockefeller Group removed non-structural columns from the interior, making way for the installation of large glass plates to reflect and refract as much light as possible. The addition of landscaping, brighter lighting and park benches creates a welcoming public atmosphere, a refreshing outdoor feel in the heart of the financial capital of the world.
"Removing columns and walls blends indoor and outdoor space into one another, creating a large amount of open space and ease of access to all parts of the lobby," Pierce said.
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