Avison Young Offices – Dallas
Perkins+Will designed the offices for commercial real estate firm, Avison Young, located in Dallas, Texas.
When commercial real estate firm Avison Young enlisted Perkins+Will, formerly lauckgroup, to design their Dallas office, they envisioned a space uniquely inspired by the kinetic nature of people, motion, and change. Incorporating small-group collaboration zones into the new open workspace, meeting rooms that transition seamlessly into private offices, and an abundance of natural light, the design team created a flexible, connected environment that promotes communication and collaboration.
Avison Young came to Perkins+Will with three goals for the new office: to grow their Dallas team and expand into new markets; create a culture of teamwork and community; and to differentiate the company from other real estate firms in the area. Achieving these goals meant departing from the traditional real estate office layout and conceptualizing a more connected environment, one that not only fostered communication and collaboration, but was also conducive to employees’ concentration. To meet these expectations, the design team implemented different settings for employees to choose from and flexible working spaces to adapt to changing workstyles.
Distinct to the design and one of the most striking elements in Avison Young’s new office is a large custom wood screen found in the reception. The feature filters light coming through the area and offers a sense of movement as the sun changes positions throughout the day. The screen’s design was inspired by the experience of looking up at tree leaves and the variation in opacities that appear depending on how the leaves are overlapping. This sculptural piece lends an air of life to the office while reflecting the company’s goal of promoting motion. Pinnable acoustical walls in the workspace echo this feature, with the addition of a subtle graphic of overlapping tree canopies.
Knowing that Avison Young wanted reconfigurable, multi-functional spaces, the design team created a flexible conference room with benches along the glass, a credenza for catering, and a sliding glass wall that allows the space to open into the break room. The shape of the room was constructed to accommodate training sessions, events, and meetings through the use of flexible furniture layouts. Faced with the challenge of providing a huddle zone in the open office, the team integrated sliding marker board walls for ideation and privacy booth seating for increased focus. Casual standing work table and stools offer additional functionality in the narrow collaboration space. A corner conference room overlooking McKinney Avenue is available for the entire staff to utilize, rather than being designated as an executive office. Adjacent to the workstations, individual phone rooms line the interior with custom felt acoustical panels that provide private and quiet space for heads down work. Employees also get to enjoy a communal break room to gather, which is accompanied by casual seating and a hospitality bar.
Beyond a special attention to detail with the interiors, the team placed great emphasis on designing a workplace that would celebrate community and culture, with a strong focus on the human experience where the health and happiness of Avison Young employees was priority. Providing workers with access to natural daylight was essential for the Avison Young team, as traditional real estate firms typically reserve windows for private offices. Challenging traditional notions, Avison Young’s new workstations incorporate sit-to-stand functionality highlighted by flooding natural daylight through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows placed throughout. The design team also included a corridor along the glazing from the reception area to the striking balcony, with views of Klyde Warren Park — a local favorite for client meetings. The new office is complete with a balcony furnished with lounge seating, dining and high seating, and a tuckaway niche with planters for those wanting to step outside during the workday. These amenities have positioned Avison Young to start the process of becoming the first real estate firm in Dallas to have a WELL-certified space, a designation for advancing health and well-being in buildings.
Designer & Interiors: Perkins+Will
Contractor: Balfour Beatty Construction
Photography: Garrett Rowland
