BBI Brands Headquarters – Columbus
BBI Brands’ new Columbus headquarters features a cohesive design framework centered on a “Road Trip” concept, offering engaging touchpoints, social areas, and a dynamic central gathering space with rooftop views.
BBI Brands new Columbus headquarters is a benchmark example of a home-grown enterprise’s commitment to provide a compelling workplace experience that’s aligned with the City of Columbus’ core Downtown initiatives. Transitioning from a leased operational footprint of 20,000 SF, to owning and managing a new 120,000 SF office space, required a highly integrative design process shaped by stakeholder inclusivity, collaboration and a cohesive design framework.
The central design concept, the “Road Trip”, acts as both a metaphor and an organizing framework. Inspired by the idea of movement and progress, the journey begins upon arrival, guiding employees and visitors through a series of engaging and interactive touchpoints, each thoughtfully designed to evoke familiar moments from a road trip. The Café and Rest Stop areas serve as sensory and social “food stops,” offering places to pause, recharge and connect. Whether grabbing a coffee, having a casual meeting or simply taking a break, these areas are designed to foster comfort and stimulation, mirroring the restorative quality of roadside stops along a journey.
The path concludes at the destination: the 5th floor Amenity Space that serves as the offices central gathering place. Here, the journey reaches its focal point, where the design intent comes fully into view. The space is a dynamic center of daily activities where employees gather to eat lunch and build community. Its design provides a distinct blend of mid-century and industrial design that’s accompanied by custom millwork and built-in seating arrangements that support a full-service bar anchored by a true back-of-house catering area. This hospitality experience reaches its pinnacle at the southwest corner terrace’s interior fireplace and two, full-height operable storefronts providing an expansive rooftop amenity feel, capturing views of the entire Downtown skyline and views directly into Columbus Crew’s Lower.com Field. Through providing a first-class hospitality experience for staff and equitable access to the best views, the design team ensured the space was not only a destination in the architectural sense, but also a place of belonging, respite and social gathering.
To execute the design to the highest level, the project integrated expertise across disciplines early in the design process. Architects, engineers and consultants collaborated closely to explore ideas, solve technical challenges and discuss constructability. This collaborative approach minimized added costs and allowed design elements to be realized and remain in the project. The result is a beautiful space shaped around a strong narrative weaving together beauty, function and performance.
Design: BBI Real Estate
Architect: Mode Architects
Contractor: Ruscilli Construction Co.
Photography: Kate Horgan
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