Blending Coastal Character with Urban Energy
When planning a new office in San Diego, HED set out to create a studio that supports hybrid work, strengthens community, and reflects the spirit of its surroundings. The search for a new location focused on four priorities: access to amenities, a variety of work settings, a strong connection to the outdoors, and the ability to host events of all scales. To guide the decision, employee surveys and test fits across multiple sites were conducted, giving staff a direct role in shaping the future workplace.
The chosen building, defined by its brutalist architectural style, offered both challenges and opportunities.
Exposed concrete waffle slab ceilings and a brick exterior provided a bold framework. Instead of masking these features, the design team embraced them, using warm materials, color palettes, and lighting to soften the architecture and create balance between the raw exterior and the welcoming interior.
Inside, the 7,365-square-foot studio provides a spectrum of spaces to support different modes of work. Rows of custom workstations are paired with private offices, breakout areas, and smaller “soft-seating” meeting zones. A formal conference room supports client presentations, while writable walls and pin-up spaces encourage teams to brainstorm and display design work. This layered approach creates an environment where focus, collaboration, and informal interaction can flow together seamlessly.
The office also reflects the distinctive character of San Diego. Material and color choices reference the region’s landscapes, including sand-toned millwork, deep red hues drawn from the cliffs of Torrey Pines, and greenery that echoes the city’s lush canyons. Large windows frame sweeping views, while living plants and natural finishes enhance biophilic connections. The space is coastal but urban, professional yet relaxed—an environment designed to mirror the city’s identity and support creativity.
At the heart of the office is the café, a flexible gathering space large enough to host all-staff meetings, professional organization events, or client receptions. A folding glass wall opens the café to a private terrace, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors. This feature not only maximizes natural light and ventilation but also encourages staff and guests to move fluidly between spaces, making the most of San Diego’s climate.
HED delivered the project through a full suite of in-house services architecture, interiors, experiential graphics, structural, mechanical and plumbing, and electrical engineering—so every layer of the environment, from infrastructure to branding, works in harmony.
Walkable, connected, and deeply tied to its context, the new San Diego office is a destination where staff can gather, share ideas, and build relationships, all within a space that celebrates the energy of its city and the values of its people.
