Newell Hoboken
Located on the Hudson River overlooking sweeping views from middle to lower Manhattan is the headquarters to one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, Newell Brands. While growth of business and answering to the stockholders are the reason for the space, the relaxed comfortable space provides for open teamwork and a collaborative spirit.
Upon exiting the elevator at the top floor, one is immediately surrounded in the brand. Utilizing sheet zinc (one in Newell Brands’ portfolio of products), the design team created a pattern of icons representing the many product types the client produces and created a multi-faceted back-lit wall. This wall is balanced on the opposite side of the space with warm wood panels describing the many ways the company brands touch their customer’s lives. Topping the space is a wood paneled ceiling shaped to represent the “house of brands” imagery in the company logo.
In the reception space, both visitors and employees are immediately part of the office place. Lounge seating and a gathering counter allow for easy exchange and energy. A double glazed meeting room allows for views to the river from this entry space. Walking to the left or right of the entry doors, one experiences a glowing wall of over 9,400 water bottles, creating a unique and engaging experience with another Newell Brands product.
At the South side of the plan on both of the floors are large open break areas with plenty of space for work and exchange of ideas. Open shelving allows for more product display, presented in an artful way. With amenities like a full-time barista and plenty of alternate work settings, employees are encouraged to be in the office and engaged with each other.
The West side of the top floor plan is reserved for the Boardroom and a comfortable Pre-Function Lounge to accommodate the users. The Boardroom was purposely not located with the “best” river view as it is not as often used as the office spaces where most employees are. Glass-fronted Executive offices line the remainder of the West and East walls with the balance of the floor offering open office workstations and ample Meeting and Huddle space to support a modern workforce.
Continuing the concept of presenting the client’s many brands and products, the team worked with Newell Brands to choose products that represented their broad range of consumer goods and themed each of the Conference Rooms. Zinc and copper “coins” are used to create the company logo in one room; 7,200 fishing lures attached to felt-wrapped panels creating an amazing and colorful texture throughout another suite of rooms; and more than 56,000 pencils create a three-dimensional pointillist artwork in the PrismaColor Room.