Confidential Venture Capital Firm

New Space as an Embodiment of the Firm’s Values and Principles

When this San Francisco-based Venture Capital (VC) Firm decided to relocate their headquarters from South Park to the EPA Building downtown, HGA assisted with making their new space an embodiment of the firm’s values and principles.

When planning their new office environment, it was important to the client that the space embodies core values, which include operating with accountability and transparency, while creating an environment that promotes collaboration.

To create diversity and inclusivity in the space, the HGA team incorporated a variety of different rooms throughout the space including space with standing height tables, rooms with sofas and rolling lounge chairs, and single or double-occupancy rooms for video calls, small meetings, or focus time – in addition to traditional conference rooms. This concept transcends into the open office space where adjustable height desks are augmented by standing height tables for collaboration, lounge seating, and a vibrant break room with a variety of options for seating.

To have the smallest possible impact on the environment and allow the VC Firm to continue channeling their financial resources towards their clients, designers reused as much as possible in the space. This included much of the flooring, walls, lighting, and HVAC systems. While this reuse was positive for the environment, it also created challenges as designers sought to make the space feel bold, enduring, and unique to the client. For example, the original industrial ducts located throughout the space needed to remain in place. Originally a shiny metal, the ducts were painted a matte color to match the mullions, helping them visually disappear into the space. Additionally, shading strategies help control the amount of light and heat gain on sunny days.

Designers also used juxtaposition as a major theme of the project and weaved it throughout the office floor, beginning as soon as one enters the space. A quiet and enclosed entry opens into the light-filled, atrium-like office area. Neutral, earthy tones are interrupted by elements of color through the furniture and accessories. Hard surfaces and soft materials balance each other, and straight lines are softened though round-edged furniture. Elements of wellness, including biophilia, were also included and set against man-made surfaces.

In the office space, the 60-person employee seating is equitable and flexible. Customizable light fixtures allow users to point light sources towards themselves to appear more clearly on video calls or towards the wall for softer lighting. At workstations, users have adjustable task lighting which allows them to be more in control of their personal lighting levels, as well as reduces energy usage during working hours because the entire space is not always brightly lit.

Overall, designers were inspired by the creativity required to create change through static elements, the opportunity to embody a client’s fundamental values using design, and the trust the client put in the HGA team.