Welcoming Detroit’s Business Community into a Smarter Workplace
The Detroit Regional Chamber (DRC) has long served as a vital hub for business connection and advocacy across Southeast Michigan. When the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped how organizations gather and collaborate, the chamber recognized the need to rethink its physical environment. They sought a smarter, more adaptable workplace that could support both their staff and the wide variety of events they host for members.
HED partnered with the chamber to translate this vision into a thoughtful design solution. Our team provided architecture, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering. In addition, our experiential graphics design group created a cohesive branding program that reflects the Chamber’s identity throughout the space.
The design centers on flexibility and hospitality. Visitors now arrive through a welcoming café-style entry that doubles as a social and networking hub. Adjacent to this, a multipurpose presentation space accommodates events ranging from intimate team meetings to large-scale member gatherings. Behind these public areas, a new staff workspace offers choice and adaptability. Individual focus settings, shared meeting rooms, and collaborative team zones provide employees with a range of options for how and where they work.
Daylight and views shape the experience. Large windows frame the downtown skyline, while open sightlines and carefully placed partitions preserve both connection and privacy. The result is a work environment that feels energizing, transparent, and distinctly of Detroit.
This project demonstrates how design can strengthen organizational identity while supporting evolving workstyles. For the chamber, it means greater flexibility to serve members, stronger alignment between space and mission, and an environment that positions the organization as a forward-looking leader in the region’s business community.
