Relocating a Financial Services Headquarters to Support Culture and Growth
When a confidential financial services client made the decision to relocate its downtown Los Angeles office, the company sought more than a new address. The goal was to find a space that could better accommodate both current and future workflows while embodying the firm’s culture and values. HED was selected to guide the client through location selection and to design a new workplace that would elevate both employee experience and client service.
The process began with an in-depth understanding of how the company operated. HED’s design team researched the client’s existing co-working model to identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. The intent was to create a workplace that advanced seamless productivity while enhancing the collaborative environment employees had come to rely on.
Equally important was the client-facing experience: every detail of the new office needed to reinforce the company’s commitment to service and strengthen its relationships with clients.
Visioning sessions and design workshops brought together leaders and staff from all levels of the organization. These collaborative exercises informed programming, adjacencies, and material selections, ensuring that the final design would be customized to reflect the company’s workflow and culture. The result was a holistic solution that provided employees with a variety of work settings—from private focus areas to collaborative hubs—while giving clients a welcoming and professional environment.
The HED team also worked hand in hand with the client to evaluate multiple potential sites, ultimately selecting a location that offered both the capacity for growth and the flexibility to adapt to evolving business needs. The new office accommodates the entire staff while providing room for expansion, positioning the company for long-term success in the Los Angeles market.
To deliver the project, HED leveraged expertise from both its Los Angeles and Chicago offices, ensuring seamless collaboration across disciplines. This integration brought together diverse perspectives and knowledge, resulting in a workplace that not only meets the client’s operational needs but also reflects its identity and aspirations.
By balancing research, client input, and design expertise, HED created a workplace that does more than house employees to empower them. The new office reflects the company’s values, supports productivity, and enhances client experiences, all within a setting designed to evolve alongside the business.
