[solidcore] Offices – Arlington

At the [solidcore] offices in Arlington, designed by Hickok Cole, the architectural intent harmonizes immersive environments with multifunctional spaces, fostering community and enhancing employee well-being in a LEED Gold-certified setting.

Firm
  • Client [solidcore],
  • size 11,622 sqft
  • Year 2024
  • Location Arlington, Virginia, United States,
  • Industry Sports,

    • [solidcore], a high-intensity, low-impact boutique Pilates brand, relocated its corporate headquarters from Washington, DC to Arlington, VA, doubling the size of its previous office to support nationwide studio expansion. The new space, located in a LEED Gold building, was envisioned not only as a functional workplace but as an immersive, forward-facing representation of the brand’s identity and values. Designed with intention, the headquarters channels [solidcore]’s core drivers: Impact, Community, Immersive Environment, and Purposeful Teamwork.

    Like their signature workouts, the design reflects a commitment to results and efficiency. Every element is purposeful and multifunctional, supporting a variety of employee experiences while promoting wellness, creativity, and connection. Without a formal reception area, the entry opens directly into a welcoming lounge flanked by subtle branding and adjacent conference zones. The Mock Studio, a focal point of the workplace, houses the proprietary [sweatlana] machine and supports content creation, workout innovation, and marketing, bridging the gap between studio culture and corporate operations.

    The heart of the office serves employees with diverse workspaces, a central café, and destination nodes that promote movement and spontaneous interaction. A rejuvenation lounge adjacent to the café offers respite and a biophilic connection with views of Freedom Park, the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, and planes from nearby Reagan National Airport.

    [solidcore] studios are known for their dramatic, immersive environments, and the headquarters mirrors this energy. Blue lighting is an iconic feature referenced by clients and coaches as being “under the blue lights” and creates a dynamic undercurrent that doubles as a wayfinding element, guiding users from the entrance to the collaborative core. Design cues from the [sweatlana] appear throughout the space, such as screening elements made with cabling at the entry and in the café, subtly reinforcing brand identity.

    Inspired by the machine’s bracketed levels of difficulty, a whitewash overlay on the polished concrete floor marks key intersections in the nearly symmetrical plan, helping orient users as they navigate the space. Dark ceilings and finishes, echoing the introspective tone of the studios, foster an environment of deep concentration and flow, enhancing focus while creating a rich, moody ambiance.

    Materiality was critical to the design story. The interiors feature a palette of deep, saturated tones, layered textures, and warm wood elements that together convey elegance, honesty, and authenticity. Views and daylight are prioritized with open office areas located along the perimeter and minimal use of interior partitions, maximizing employee access to natural light and outdoor connections.

    At every scale, from bold lighting gestures to the refined detailing of the café booths, the headquarters reflects [solidcore]’s dedication to thoughtful design, innovation, and community. The result is a workplace that blurs the line between brand and environment.

    Design: Hickok Cole
    Design Team: Mike Johnson II, Kirsten Lytle, Sarah Pistner, Emily Everhope
    Contractor: Bognet Construction
    Furniture Dealer: Washington Workplace
    Photography: Judy Davis