IXL Learning

Striking a Balance

IXL, the world’s most popular subscription-based learning site for K-12 education, was growing rapidly and looking to update their office space. Principal Builders, a long-time collaborator with HGA and partner to IXL, reached out to the team to ask HGA to assist with the refresh of their client’s space.

At that time, IXL was using two floors within the building and had recently acquired a smaller 7th floor suite for expansion which, along with the 6th floor, required updating. The existing relationship between HGA and Principal Builders was key to making the client feel comfortable and guiding them through the process, identifying programmatic requirements beyond their immediate needs. Operating on a tight budget, it was critical to utilize as much as possible from the existing space while still making the office floors feel wholly integrated.

After relocating from the 6th floor to the 7th floor, the new Executive Floor retained intricate molding original to the space. All millwork was salvaged and reutilized on both the 6th and 7th floors. In addition to offices being built out on the 7th floor, the expansion space’s break area was designed to match the break/lounge space on the 6th floor. Flooring from the 6th floor was also matched as closely as possible upstairs with interface, net-zero carpeting. The color scheme was kept neutral, with the exception of a bold yellow wall that nods to the company’s educational nature with abstract alphabet wallpaper. In a post-pandemic environment, IXL was trying to strike a balance between work from home and work from the office for its employees. As the company continues to experience rapid growth, they now have the capacity for employees to be back in the office several days each week, returning to a space that, despite the project’s tight budget, feels comfortable and cohesive.