Presentation made at NECON East 2013, Baltimore about our work with National Life Group. Take a look and learn more about the highlights of the values driven design process and project approach used. See best practices in commercial workplace design, lighting retrofit, energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives in play serving project goals.

1. MODERNIZATION OF
A CORPORATE GIANT
NEOCON EAST 2013 | Stephen M. Frey- AIA, LEED AP | Arocordis Design

2. Overview
VALUES DRIVEN DESIGN
WORKPLACE STRATEGIES
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
BRANDING & STORYTELLING

3. Background
HISTORY & BUSINESS
MISSION & VALUES
THE CHALLENGE

4. Their Businesses
…since 1848

5. The Place

6. Do good, be good, make good
Our promise is our
product
To live our values
To invest our assets
wisely
To live up to our
history
Their
Values
To maintain our
independence
We care for our
communities
We care for our
planet

9. Listening, Looking & Learning

10. Mad Men Era Vibe

12. A Sea of Partitions…

13. Caves & Corner Offices

14. 1950’s Era Subway Restrooms

15. Values Driven Design Process
MISSION BRAND
& VALUES
PROJECT
GOALS
SUSTAINABILITY &
STEWARDSHIP
BUSINESS &
CULTURE NEEDS

16. Project Goals & Objectives
BETTER ALIGN
UPDATED OFFICES
TO MISSION BRAND
& VALUES
Workplace
Design
Strategies
CREATE AN
ATTRACTIVE HIGH
PERFORMING,
SUSTAINABLE
WORKPLACE
CREATE AN ENDURING &
FLEXIBLE OPERATIONAL
FRAMEWORK

17. Workplace Design Strategies
• REDUCE REAL ESTATE
FOOTPRINT
• MOVE FROM “I” TO
“WE” SPACE
• STREETS &
NEIGHBORHOODS
• FRONT & BACK YARDS
• BRANDING &
STORYTELLING
• NATURE NEAR

18. Workplace Design Strategies
• ENHANCE
TRANSPARENCY
• CHOICES IN
COLLABORATION
SPACES
• WORK ANYWHERE
• PAPERLESS OFFICE
• STATE OF THE ART
LIGHTING UPGRADE

19. A Balanced Approach…
A continuum from open to closed:
OPEN
OFFICE
A FEW LOW
WALLS &
OPEN
GLASS WITH
MEDIUM
HIGH WALLS
GLASS WITH
SOME HIGH
WALLS ‐ 3
SIDES
OPENNESS
Tuning spaces to business needs
PRIVATE
OFFICE
PRIVACY

20. Plan Concept

21. Circulation & Nodes

22. Front Yard
To Backyard
Street
To Backyard

23. Back Yard
Shared
Views
Open Work
Area
To Front
Yard
Open Work
Area

24. Process & Change

25. Common Areas Visualization

27. Example Spaces | Front Yards

30. Back Yards

31. Collaboration Zones

33. Hotels, Workstations & Offices

36. Lighting Upgrade

38. Branding & Storytelling

39. Inspiration

40. Brand Slogan Supergraphics

44. Stairs as Wellness Space

49. Common Area Details

51. Planters & Living Wall

52. Restroom Renovations

53. Recycling & Giving Back

54. Sustainability Initiatives
• LEED Silver, EB
certification 2008
• 78 Kw Solar electric PV
power (418 panels)
• Biomass heating
w/propane backup
• Intensive recycling
program(78%)
• Alternative
transportation
• Wellness programs
• Community Service

55. Employee Feedback, Stories

56. Thank you! … …
88 Phillips Road | Montpelier, VT 05602
voice: (802) 448-0056 | www.arocordis.com
steve@arocordisdesign.com
Collaborators & partners
Client
Workstations & Loose Furniture,, Equip.
Move & Workplace Strategies Assistance
Movable Architectural Walls
Lighting & Control Design
Structural Engineering
Electrical
Painting
Signage & Branding Graphics
Common Area Construction &
Restrooms
National Life Group - Montpelier, VT
Creative Office Pavilion - Burlington, VT
Herman Miller - Holland, MI
Office Environments - Williston, VT
Haworth - Zeeland, MI
Light, Space, Design - South Burlington, VT
Engineering Ventures Inc. – Burlington, VT
Bates & Murray – Barre, VT
Dunham Brothers Painting – Calais, VT
Sign Design – Montpelier, VT
Summit Catamount Construction – Berlin, VT
Amoskeag Woodworking – Colchester, VT
Laeunesse Interiors – Barre, VT
Cooper Mechanical – Williston, VT
New England Floor Coverings – Burlington, VT
Dunham Brothers Painting – Calais, VT