HGA recently completed the interior design for Sleep Number’s new 14,000 square-foot SleepIQ LABS space in San Jose, California.
“Given its high-tech nature and Silicon Valley location, our design focus for the SleepIQ LABS space was to keep a startup feel for the space, yet reflect the company’s position as pioneers in sleep and wellness technology,” said HGA Principal and Interior Designer Lisa Macaluso, IIDA, LEED AP. “Inspired by the creativity and energy of the SleepIQ LABS team and Sleep Number’s dedication to their community’s wellbeing, the end result is a space that visually and physically reflects their identity and gives a nod to the area’s innovative culture.”
The space combines design insight with engineering ingenuity, as the interdisciplinary design team from HGA’s Minneapolis and San Jose offices collaborated with Sleep Number’s branding team to envision a vibrant space that is all about a good night’s sleep. One of the primary design goals was to reflect SleepIQ LAB’S exciting technological advances which are cutting edge, thereby appealing to up-and-coming software engineers, and supporting employee recruitment and retention in the region. SleepIQ LABS also played a key role in the introduction of biometric sensor solutions and sleep monitoring technologies.
“Our design also sought to translate the Sleep Number corporate brand from their new headquarters, which we just completed in Minneapolis, to a decidedly Silicon Valley vibe, given the Sleep IQ LABS space is in the heart of northern California’s tech industry,” said HGA Senior Designer Pamela Su, AIA, LEED AP.
Occupying an entire floor of the downtown San Jose high-rise just a few blocks from its prior test lab space, the new location reflects Sleep Number’s brand with restful blue and green hues mixed with the rich tones in the wood.
The space was intentionally created to be flexible and to grow, the design elements combine comfort and technology and acknowledge both through the color palette, while giving a nod to the SleepIQ LABS innovations and biometrics.
Throughout the space, HGA designers used natural materials which were infused with pops of color, balancing tech and comfort against a neutral background. Providing a backdrop for the workspaces, which focus on function, collaboration and wellbeing to promote creativity and energy. Small details throughout the space pay homage to the software found at the business’s core like the wood slats that mimic the algorithmic bars of the SleepIQ app and the graphics of the window film that call to mind digital programming.
Designed with an open floor plan that accommodates a variety of different workstyles for more than 50 employees, the reception area has a sleep gallery off the elevator lobby that highlights signature products. Various-sized conference rooms, open workstations, numerous writable or tackable surfaces for easy brainstorming, private offices, quiet phone rooms, huddle rooms, integrated technical product testing areas, and a multi-purpose boardroom provide a variety of places for collaboration or solitary focus. Recreation areas, an electric lab, and a kitchen/café also give team members a choice in how and where they work.
A key design feature of the space, repeated and interspersed throughout the open office areas, are prototyped motorized bunk beds which were designed by HGA’s engineers. These cleverly designed elevator bunks allow engineers to move mattresses up and down for testing, efficiently saving square footage. In addition, technology is integrated throughout the entire space for easy collaboration with partners in the lab and around the world.
“This test space provides a dream environment for employees and visitors to see and feel the science and technology that goes into every Sleep Number mattress,” said Su.
