Project Data:

Completion Date:     6/10/2021

Square Footage:      16350

Building Use:           Multi-Purpose Conference Center

Project Description:

Activating the below ground space to create a destination hub was the goal for the former basement at Pacific Life. Conceiving a meaningful, multi-purpose conference center was an ambitious task for a space with no natural light and a pre-existing corner floorplan. The Architect's solution was to create a "central arc" that anchors to the existing cross intersection. Flexibility to accommodate different group sizes was key, as was the room set-up and furniture layout. The multitude of collaboration and learning spaces provides this choice and flexibility. Complimentary spaces augment the main conference areas with a range of uses from co-working to dining meetings to touch-down spots and coffee meetings.

As you step off the elevator and arrive on the conference level, a sweeping walnut wood slat ceiling draws you in and guides you along the central arc path. The design team took inspiration from the ocean and interpreted waves in the form of the curved edge and wood ceiling. The wood slats vary in dimension and volume to mirror the currents of the Pacific Ocean; and are layered with twinkles of light to mimic the scattered sun rays reflecting off the waters of Newport Beach.

In the pre-existing space, wayfinding was a challenge. It was difficult for users to orient direction and navigate around the conference center. Through branded moments and biophilic design, the design team used "landmark" elements to identify and distinguish orientation on the floor plan for users. The cafe island with the whale art logo wall, pendant lights, lush eucalyptus trees, and branded wave graphic now stand at the previous "corners" of the corridor and mark new entry to the conference center.

Opening up the pre-existing corners of corridor meant the required fire separations had to be worked into the design. Fire shutters and doors had to be seamlessly and carefully integrated to maintain the welcoming and open feel. These elements follow the natural flow of space and are incorporated along the curved radius, where the fire doors become hidden between the wood ceiling slats.

Technology was thoughtfully designed to support the functions of reception, pre-function and meeting areas. Lighting, audio and visual components play a huge part of the overall experience, and ambient music was added to reinforce the mood of the open environment. The conference center's largest room is now equipped with the latest technology for convenience and ease of operation, in addition to video conferencing technology for remote user attendance. The partition in the main conference room provides flexibility as well as visual and acoustical separation.

Timeless design and details honor the past while enhanced art and technology propels the space forward. Improved wayfinding and branded environments reflect the unique Pacific Life culture. The new transformative design inspires and invites people to the new "conference level" and reflects Pacific Life's brand and legacy.

Firm Name:              Gensler

Completion Date:     6/10/2021

Square Footage:      16350

Building Use:           Multi-Purpose Conference Center

Location:                 Newport Beach, CA

Project Description:
How do you make basement level of an office building a destination hub? This was the question the team asked when early concept was conceived to transform the conference center at Pacific Life’s headquarter. The former conference center was used for meetings and training, was walled off behind doors and lacked ample lighting. The floor plan had no distinguishable landmark for wayfinding and lacked spaces that could be used for informal gatherings outside the meeting rooms.

Design for Well-being, Design for Integration
When the team walked the site, we saw a great opportunity to open up the corner walls and express the entry in a new way. We wanted to make conference center part of the first impression of the floor as you arrive off the elevator lobby. We wanted the experience to mimic that of a coffee house; a space filled with buzz, excitement, and music. Many of the users during visioning session expressed their experiences of being in a café and the warmth that envelopes the environment. Light, biophilia and natural materials were drawn in as part of this inspiration. We added in open café island right off the entry with eucalyptus trees right across the corner to create an anchor point on the floor plan.

Design for Change
For design context, we drew in references from local context of Newport coast. The new floor plan has a central arc that guides users down the path to meeting rooms of multiple functions and sizes, each equipped with latest audio and visual technology for virtual and hybrid meetings. This central arc is followed by tidal ceiling louvers finished in warm walnut wood tones and lights laid out to mimic sprinkling of stars bouncing off the night ocean.

Part of the transformation of the conference center involved layering in in-between spaces that can enhance the users’ work, productivity, and enjoyment. Lounge-like spaces and coffee bar tables that people can use for individual work or to catch up with colleagues in between meetings. With a variety of meeting room types both open and closed and accommodating groups from 4-person to 200+ people, the newly transformed conference center offers choice to empower and connect people to the space with sense of ownership and belonging.

Design Architect:
Gensler

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:

Owner / Developer:
Pacific Life Insurance Company (owner/client)

Engineer:
tk1sc (MEP Engineer), Brandow & Johnston (Structural Engineer)

General Contractor:
Howard Building Corporation

Consultant:
Howe Bonney & Assoc. (Project Manager), Cibola Systems (AV Consultant)

Photographer:
Gensler / Ryan Gobuty