Project Data:

Completion Date:     7/15/2022

Square Footage:      116261

Building Use:           Office headquarters for data analytics company

Project Description:

Alteryx is a company whose product helps customers understand the power of data and analytics. Customers choose Alteryx to help empower their employees to make transformational outcomes. This space needed to embody this ethos in every way.

Capturing the courageous spirit, global awareness, beach loving attitude and world‐class technological capabilities of Alteryx was at the heart of this experience. Alteryx needed a fresh, open headquarters that enabled both local and global teams to collaborate seamlessly. Further, Alteryx planned to welcome major customers and partners and wanted to adequately showcase its innovative software while also embracing the local, unique flair of a SoCal‐based headquarters.

The work environment created celebrates and protects a diverse workforce. We utilized elements like crystal clear jewel boxes, and custom graphics with a conscious effort to move away from traditional organizational hierarchy. Like waves in the ocean, this washed over the space filling it with transparency.

Portraying Alteryx’s global influence was critical and would eventually become a progression of themed floors based on the major arenas the business operates in. Our starting point was the relaxed beach‐front vibes
iconic to Alteryx culture. The key design direction was drawn from the soft organic lines found in waves
and colors as seen in sunset‐kissed beaches, intertwined with an emphasis on community. Waves are apparent in the ceiling acoustic elements and commissioned artwork.

The upper floors were created around the concept of wandering through and discovery found in a street market. These floors incorporate original artwork, regionally inspired graphic wall covering, textiles and lighting. To encourage exploration, pantries are stocked with a variety of coffee, teas, and food experiences which reflect the cultures of Latin America and the Asian Pacific region.

Going deeper, we created an interconnecting staircase that was inspired by a stroll in the bamboo forest
in Tokyo, a place where all walks of life in the city intersect with nature. We expanded the staircase
further than originally planned to reflect the transparency Alteryx was committed to championing: to
create a physical reminder that what makes Alteryx great doesn’t come from one floor or suite, it comes
from everywhere.

Challenges surfaced as it was constructed during COVID with an aggressive schedule. Thus, the team worked closely with all our partners to execute this extensive project on time. Concurrent supply chain issues kept the project team in a constant struggle to make the end date completion but, through sheer grit and determination, we made it. The major items impacted the video wall, which was canceled the day it was supposed to arrive causing a struggle
to find replacement monitors. The restroom tiles were reselected 5 or 6 times, and the stone for the pantry involved several early morning trips to local stone yards to discover the right fit after cancellations and multiple delays to the intended fabricated product. All in all, the entire team repeatedly stepped up to make decisions quickly and move the project forward.

Framework for Design Excellence

DESIGN FOR INTEGRATION
The Alteryx building is LEED Gold Certified designed to comply with Energy Star and UL Verified Healthy Building requirements and is encased in energy efficient Viracon glazing. Nearly half the campus is dedicated to open space with indoor/outdoor collaboration spaces that naturally draw people outside to the fresh air. MERV-13 filtration maximizes ventilation with 100% fresh outdoor air. A daylight harvesting system is installed wherein the lighting is controlled in zones to maximize energy efficiency and lighting is actually turned off during the day when sunshine is at its peak, which can save up to 75% of the energy used for lighting the building. In addition, the client added motorized perimeter shades to improve energy efficiency even further. The interior space was designed to give all occupants access to natural daylight and panoramic doors open out to private patios for indoor-outdoor connectivity. The Alteryx campus is very walkable with a 1.5 mile perimeter jogging trail and direct access to coastal wildlands and preserved open space. An interconnecting internal staircase encourages staff to move and connect with the Executives.

DESIGN FOR EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES
The project engaged local artists who created art specific to the project, menus based on local food purveyors, and stocked the bar from local breweries and coffee roasters. It reaches further into décor as the iconic surfboards given to employees as awards were custom fabricated through local surf shops. The staff are encouraged to take a board and surf the local waves or step just outside the door and walk the adjacent path to clear their minds. Life at Alteryx includes an internal “Alter-Us” commitment. This engages the community by supporting local students through their SparkED program, Tech for Good which donates programs to non-profits, ESG programs and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging [DEIB]. Every employee is given 20 paid hours to volunteer per year with any verified nonprofit.

There are EV parking spots and carpool spots located closer to the buildings and a large bike and walking path on the site. The campus is centrally located with direct access to I-405 and Highway 133, and minutes from Irvine Station, Amtrak and Metrolink service. There are bike racks and bike lockers available. Alteryx utilizes group transportation to shuttle out of town visitors to the site and to other adjacent amenity spaces.

Alteryx regularly hosts events and shuttles employees and visitors creating comradery and saves fuel while reducing the number of cars traveling to the site. They also utilize local food and beverage to engage and support the community businesses.

DESIGN FOR ECOSYSTEMS
There are over 2000 olive and pine trees on the Alteryx site, reducing storm water runoff and providing a habitat for birds. Nearly half of the campus is dedicated open space providing natural shade, reducing pollutants and increasing oxygen levels. Large operable doors on the first level provide opportunities for indoor-outdoor collaboration and dining areas that naturally draw people into the fresh air. Floor to deck perimeter glazing connects end users to nature 24/7.

DESIGN FOR WATER
The Alteryx site utilizes potable water for irrigation and has smart irrigation which adjusts for weather conditions, and has alerts to the landscaping team for any potential leaks or main line breaks. High efficiency plumbing conversions reduce water usage over standard toilets and urinals by 63% and 92% respectively. Cooling tower enhanced water treatment reduces water consumption by 30% by safely allowing increased cycle of dissolved solid concentration to reduce water blow-down.

DESIGN FOR ECONOMY
The program was right-sized by co-locating employees under one roof utilizing desk-sharing, and various spaces are dual function to accommodate a multitude of programs in a small footprint. This eliminates a need to rent space elsewhere for events and functions reducing energy use needed for commuting to another site. Food prep is on site allowing the Alteryx team to know how their food is made and gives them the ability to source local ingredients from their community.

DESIGN FOR ENERGY
The Alteryx building is Energy Star certified utilizing 35% less energy, generating 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and costs .50 cents less per square foot to operate. In addition the building is LEED gold certified which saves energy costs, water costs, waste management and maintenance costs. The exterior building envelope consists of a 10’ wide × 14’-6” high unitized curtain wall system with Duranar XL 70% Kynar UC109170F “Pearlescent White.” Vision Glass is: Viracon VRE13-54 insulated glazing. Electric perimeter shades were added to reduce energy consumption, and the lighting systems are LED smart controlled which dramatically reduces energy consumption over time.

DESIGN FOR WELL-BEING
Interior finishes were selected to be low VOC and when possible made locally in California - for example a majority of the wall tiles and carpeting were produced locally. There are large operable doors to open the space up to the outdoors on the ground floors of the buildings and the buildings are LEED Gold certified which promote human and environmental well-being. The buildings are UL verified healthy buildings with MERV-13 filtration maximizing ventilation with 100% fresh outdoor air. The floor to deck perimeter glazing is insulated and lighting has daylight controls.

DESIGN FOR RESOURCES
In addition to the low VOC interior finishes, stone was selected from local stone yards. Millwork was locally produced a few miles away. The project was constructed with long lasting materials which will outlive the lease term. Many of the finishes were repeated throughout the project. Much of the flooring retained the base building concrete floors in lieu of adding another finish.

DESIGN FOR DISCOVERY
The Alteryx space has proven to be flexible and adaptive already. As the return-to-work environment evolves so has the space and the inherent flexibility in the design has allowed that to occur. Ironically the open amenity space on the first level has been the most utilized. One of the lessons learned was that the client decided not to shift during the pandemic and built a portion of the space more traditional in nature, some of which is not utilized currently. The project team is still very close and able to adapt to current feedback from employees quickly.

Firm Name:              Wolcott Architecture

Completion Date:     7/15/2022

Square Footage:      116261

Building Use:           Office headquarters for data analytics company

Location:                 Irvine, CA

Design Architect:

Associate Architect or Firm:

Landscape Architect:
N/A

Owner / Developer:
Developer: The Irvine Company
Owner: Alteryx

Engineer:
TK1SC / Nabih Youssef Associates

General Contractor:
KPRS

Consultant:
The Sheridan Group - Furniture

Gardiner & Theobald, Inc. - Project Management

tklsc - MEP

Taber - Millwork

Photographer:
Kim Rogers