Judges' Comments
- N/A
Project Data:
Completion Date: 4/1/2016
Square Footage: 17357
Building Use: Corporate
Location: Irvine, California
Project Description:
When OluKai purchased the Irvine, California building that would become its new headquarters, the space needed to be extensively renovated. The Hawaiian-inspired luxury lifestyle and footwear brand selected the design team to help realize its vision for a new, branded home for its growing business. Since OluKai’s brand and culture are integral to everything that it does – from product development to how team members interact with customers and each other –OluKai needed an employee-centric space that would foster collaboration, drive productivity and bring the brand to life.
To carry the brand and culture into the company’s new headquarters, the design team took care to design a space that radiates the Hawaiian-inspired footwear brand’s deep-seeded mantra: Everyone, no matter where they are, can live “aloha.” Taking the mantra one step further, the design of OluKai’s new space works to embrace “ohana,” the Polynesian dedication to family; collaboration and creativity, to inspire the team’s authentic engagement; and outstanding work, capitalizing on the company’s strong lifestyle culture to attract and retain the industry’s best talent.
From the moment current and prospective team members arrive at OluKai’s headquarters, the design reinforces its unique brand through a 360-degree experience that reflects the company’s culture and brand promise. A custom metal “Aloha” sculpture from Hawaii stands at the entrance to introduce the brand to visitors as they enter the lobby. They are also greeted by a reception desk made of hammered lava stone, carved wood, and hand-stitched leather inlay, again reflecting the headquarters’ Polynesian roots.
It was important to the OluKai team that the headquarters’ design celebrate natural elements native to the Hawaiian Islands, integrating tradition, symbols and an abundance of natural elements. Accent colors reflect “mauka,” the land, and “makai,” the ocean, with reds representing the natural Hawaiian elements of clay, mud, and earth, and blues representing the light and shadows of tropical waters.
The design also features a variety of lifestyle influences from the company’s handcrafted products, as well as from outdoor activities such as hiking and water sports. Custom murals created by OluKai-sponsored artists appear throughout the workspace, creating a branded experience that team members want to be a part of and reflect in their work and interactions.
To promote flexibility and team engagement, each floor of OluKai’s new headquarters incorporates collaboration zones and multi-use meeting spaces which are mixed in with open, custom-designed workstations. OluKai’s new space offers the team a variety of alternative work environments – from a work café where colleagues can retreat to collaborate in small groups, to the “Aloha Circle” of suspended chairs which works to foster teamwork and socializing throughout the day. The design also includes a dynamic product showroom for sales pitches and product reviews, a “Lanai Lounge” for more informal gatherings, and an outdoor gathering space with a BBQ station, wine refrigerator, communal seating and shade structure that promotes an environment for pure fun.
C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment
Submitted By: |
Cindy Baca |
Design Architect: |
H. Hendy Associates |
Associate Architect or Firm: |
|
Landscape Architect: |
|
Owner / Developer: |
|
Engineer: |
|
General Contractor: |
|
Consultant: |
|
Photographer: |
Sherman Takata |
OluKai
Category
Commercial Interiors