Transitioning from Traditional to Modern Workspaces

Guest Post by Christine Trupiano, CHID, ASID, LEED AP ID+C, Director of Interior Design at Albert Kahn Associates, and Michael Giovanni, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Director of Design, Technical Principal and Senior Designer at Albert Kahn Associates

Describe a nearly century-old insurance company in the northeast, and words like strength, tradition, and stability may come to mind. But a progressive work environment? Erie Insurance is committed to its employees and wants to provide a work environment that is uplifting and inspirational so that employees are supported and have what they need to do their best work.

Erie Insurance’s new 346,000-square-foot Thomas B. Hagen Building is a study in collaboration that is the hallmark of a modern Fortune 500 company, putting a focus on work that enables employees to perform at their optimum. Located in its namesake Pennsylvania city, with views of Lake Erie, the Hagen Building is emblematic of its commitment to the city and the employees who contribute to the company’s long growth. The building wraps around an earlier headquarters of Erie Insurance, today called the Heritage Center housing the Erie Insurance Museum. The Hagen Building sits across from the current headquarters, F.W. Hirt Perry Square, which was designed in the late 1970s—a time when most companies like it had abandoned cities for the suburbs.

The Thomas B. Hagen Building’s stepped profile—with four stories on the west side and seven stories to the east—allows the building to pay homage to its predecessor facilities as well as provide expansive views to the Great Lakes and Presque Isle Bay that defines Erie. From the outside in, the Hagen Building wraps its staff in an environment that, in the words of Chairman of the Board Thomas Hagen, “shows that companies can provide for the needs of a modern business while respecting and honoring the history of our community.”

Along East Sixth Street, the building embraces the street and provides a visual connection to the existing Erie Insurance campus. Brick and cast stone features embrace the history of the company, while glass and steel features highlight current collaborative thinking and point toward the future. The building provides a connecting vision of the campus as viewed from the street and the new atrium space.

Renovations to the adjacent Perry Square Building will further emphasize this relationship, as the existing expanded atrium along East Sixth Street compliments the new open planning design and visibility of the new lobby. To signify a respect for Erie Insurance and its history, the angled curtain wall on the east side of the Hagen Building—the round column as a datum point for the building entry and the angled wall within the lobby—gesture toward the H. O. Hirt executive leadership building just across the street.

The overall building massing of the Hagen Building places four levels on the Perry Square Park side of the site, respecting the four-level building heights surrounding the park. The seven-level tower takes advantage of the higher building to the east of the site. The staggered height reduces the overall mass of the building at the park area fitting into the urban scale and texture of the surrounding community.

Sustainability and the Healthy Environment for Erie Employees. The primary focus for the design team was to create an environmentally responsible seven-story building that would enhance the well-being of Erie Insurance employees and the surrounding community. The team worked with Erie Insurance Leadership to set goals to achieve USGBC LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) “GOLD” Certification. The building incorporates more than 20,000 square feet of vegetated roof to reduce the storm water run-off, create great seasonal views, and provide a space for wildlife.

Mechanical systems were designed with energy recovery wheels that exchange heat and moisture in the exhaust air stream with the incoming ventilation air stream. The heating hot water and chilled water systems are designed to maximize energy efficiency. During colder weather, the cooling towers associated with the chilled water system are used to generate chilled water using a heat exchanger to cool interior building spaces. 

To take advantage of natural light and reduce overall energy consumption, electrical lighting systems were designed with daylight harvesting, which was accomplished by using daylight lighting control sensors. Daylight sensors—which are strategically located in the open office areas throughout the entire facility—can be dimmed or switched on/off to accommodate changing daylight availability. As part of the daylight harvesting strategy, multiple lighting zones were located near windows and skylights. In addition to daylight harvesting, vacancy sensors and timer switches were provided throughout the facility to reduce the overall energy consumption.

Overall, the building envelope, HVAC, and lighting systems reduce building energy use by about 30% when compared to the energy code requirements for a similar building. A Building Management System monitors, controls, and optimizes the operation of mechanical and electrical systems to improve equipment performance and reduce energy usage. The building management system reduces energy usage during off hours by resetting space temperature set points and reducing airflow rates to unoccupied spaces. 

Building ventilation units have enhanced filtration to provide for a cleaner workspace. The air handling systems are zoned to optimize thermal comfort at employee workstations, offices, conference rooms, and collaborative spaces. Humidification is controlled between 35% relative humidity and 50% relative humidity for human comfort and to minimize airborne contaminants.

The approved finishes and materials for the building were chosen based on their durability, ease of maintenance and their VOCs content.  Wood products selected were sourced from sustainable forests.  Locally available products were used wherever possible.

Promoting Collaboration in Design, Function. Erie Insurance’s decision to move some of its team into the Thomas B. Hagen Building represents more than just growth for the multistate insurance company. It also represents transition from a traditional, modular office environment to a more modern, collaborative work environment.

The façade itself speaks to this transition. Its mix of glass fills the collaboration spaces with light, showcasing a random mullion pattern on the curtain wall that speaks to the sometimes random nature of collaborative activities. The seemingly random pattern actually is repeated over 30 feet to capture the construction economy of repeated forms and dimensions. It is an economical way to bring the design to life, and, when lit by the sun at certain times of the day, provide a sparkle that animates the glass.

On the inside, an angled spine bisects the facility between its four-floor and seven-floor massing. Known as the Innovative Collaborative Space, the spine is the heart of the building, providing a space that promotes the historic foundation of the company, yet welcomes employees into a world of inspiration and activity. It draws its energy from conference rooms.

Collaborative zones are located on each floor and build off of this spine, with the conference rooms coming off the collaborative space. The angled spine’s separation from the more open office environments proved advantageous. When people are gathered for a meeting, they are in the collaborative area, as opposed to the office area where they might disturb those who are trying to work at their desks. All these group meeting spaces are accessed through the collaborative space, leaving the private office areas quieter.

The angular wall in the first-floor lobby is devised to open the collaborative focus toward the Heritage Building and Museum. This concept generates the angular geometry of the stair, water feature, flooring pattern, and skylight forms. Breaking away from the grid reinforces the randomness of collaboration. This is expressed in the dichotomy of overhanging glass curtain wall areas on the building exterior juxtaposed on the regularized pattern and geometry of the static or concentration work zones.

At the same time, collaborative zones, rooftop gardens and the conference room behind the curtain walls, step down toward the Heritage Center. The building form and plan pays homage to the Heritage Center while breaking down the scale of the building mass at the adjoining Heritage courtyard.

Inspiring Environment, Balancing Weather. The glass elements make the collaborative zones inviting by filling it with light and beauty, but its inviting nature is complemented with bright furniture that is fun and relaxed. Employees easily can work together in the space or individually. That focus on the mental and physical needs of the employees is felt throughout, showcasing how Erie Insurance values its employees and supports them through an inspiring and creative environment, with a short walk to the downtown or Lake Erie.

In a city known for its winter weather and overcast skies, accent colors unique to each floor penetrate the interior environment to spark the environment, as well as provide a key orientation element for building occupants. The saturated bright colors stand in contrast to the grey that Erie residents often experience outside. From the basement, the color transitions its way from earth to sky, with each floor reflecting nature’s transition. A warm brown gives way to green on the first floor, then moves to other earth tones such as rust and purple seen during fall colors, yellow for the sun, and blue for the sky on the seventh floor.

Periwinkle stands out on the third floor, a nod to the neighboring Perry Square building across the street and connected by a skyway. The design team chose a custom carpet whose pattern is repeated on each floor but accented with the color of that floor. Staff know where they are by the color that wraps the space. Color stacking is a vital aspect in the facility for wayfinding. Additionally, woodwork and soffits are used to intuitively move people from the collaboration zones to the focused work zones.

The strategy in separating those zones is a nod to the needs of employees. The separation supports staff who prefer a quieter open environment to do their focused work, while also giving others the freedom to be more energetic and collegial in the conference rooms and collaborative zones designed to promote such activity.

In the main floor atrium, the monumental stair with an offset mid stair landing provides for collaboration and an oratory opportunity, floating over the main entry lobby. The stair with a glass landing and glass steps increases the lighting transparency under the stair and water feature illumination.

Overhanging conference rooms in the main lobby reinforce a visual connection to the office areas beyond and the lobby floor below. Angled and layered ceiling features with indirect lighting visually bring the spaces together reinforcing the overall geometric composition. 

Two-level spaces are stacked and separated providing a different context and spatial experiences for employees. The first-floor and second-floor space provides for building entry and artifact display with a focus on the Heritage Center and water feature. The third-floor and fourth-floor space provides for food service, bridge connections linking the campus and rooftop gardens with seating overlooking the park, while avoiding costly smoke evacuation systems.

The staggered building mass transitions into the interior composition. One straight and one angled core zones are necessary for existing and systems support. This affords a natural break for open conversation and collaboration between the cores and quiet concentrated work zones beyond. However, lower intensity collaborative zones are still provided within the concentrated areas as expressed in the curtain wall elements.

In the collaborative areas, floor-to-ceiling glass capitalizes on the incredible views of the surrounding community, Presque Isle Bay, and Lake Erie beyond. This aspect will enhance the day-to-day experience of the employee, create a great work environment while providing a lasting employee experience.

On the fourth level, an Innovation space—known as the collaborative heart of the building—becomes a set piece of the upper two-story space. An offset stair placed under a skylight rises into the naturally lit room providing a dramatic access to the cantilevered Innovation space. The space is lined with wood and a wood trellis placed above comfortable furniture. A line of skylights above and flanking the Innovation space, highlight and unify the space.

The office areas are further enhanced by Erie Insurance’s extraordinary art collection, which is anchored by local and Pennsylvania-based artists. Employees are also encouraged to take time outdoors on a series of patios and terraces.

Design for Duality. Back into the lobby, the space is more than an entrance into Erie Insurance’s world of service to policyholders. Walk into the space and you will see a nod to history. For example, elements such as a collection of license plates pay tribute to its start providing auto insurance in Pennsylvania. Also included is a 1964 Lincoln and replica of the Erie homestead of the Hirt family, one of the founders of the company.

In addition, the space is a nod to the company culture. The grand staircase that moves people from the lobby into the collaborative spine is more than a path for people to follow. It also is a gathering spot, with a landing on the glass stairway providing a stage from which company leaders provide presentations and others give speeches for those gathered around on the different floors.

In that same spirit, the passageway from the parking structure to the adjacent training center, and then to the Hagen Building and the Perry Square Building, is more than a sheltered walkway that protects employees from the weather. These areas also facilitate collaborative activities, with both color and furnishings to invite staff to utilize the space for more than just a pathway. To keep employees on top of the latest in Erie news, there are monitors featuring corporate communications throughout the collaborative spaces.

The theory of utilizing spaces in what can be termed “off hours” is a theme that runs through the design. Like the collaborative area being used for grand events, cafés used for traditional lunch activities become the working third place outside of lunch—a spot employees can utilize when they want a different setting to work or meet with colleagues. On the third floor Cafe, a floor-to-ceiling glass wall not only brings light and life into the space, but also acts as a porch area for the office, which employees can use for breaks or individual work in a warm setting.

The design’s success is not only found in the elements, but also within the thought behind the elements. More specifically, the willingness to think beyond the most efficient design created opportunities to open the environment to inspiration, connection, and collaboration.

Generally, the random patterns in the building are utilized to represent the collaborative environment—the glass curtain wall and alternating glass coloring, floor patterns, conference room glass patterns, elevator doors, ceiling drops and in the angular geometry. Conversely, the brick and stone features are regular and represent areas of concentration. The balance between the two ideas creates a unique image for the building.

A prime example would be the lobby, itself. Originally detailed with a green wall, the design team explored a water feature as an alternative. That opened the lobby space even more, and, in turn, added a beautifying feature with stone elements that pay homage to states where the insurance company operates, as well as adding a visual to the space with the water washing across the layers of Tennessee Limestone and Pennsylvania Bluestone.

Fountain concept: The design of the water fountain conceptually captures the essence of Erie Insurance. By utilizing natural stone to express longevity and stability at the core of the nature of the corporation, its reputation, service, and commitment to its customers are solidified. The design utilizes a layering of Pennsylvania Bluestone and Tennessee Limestone that are quarried and refined in states served by Erie Insurance.

The Bluestone, symbolizing Erie Insurance, is exposed as the outer layer of the softer Limestone is washed away over time. As if Erie Insurance, throughout the ages, was always here waiting to be revealed. The natural staggering of the stone, the overlap and random pattern are devised to create a natural look. The water flows slowly over the Bluestone, flashing at the overlap points to create a visual cue and center of interest highlighting the Bluestone. The deeper stone waterfall steps at the base of the fountain create a visual foundation, keeping the stone wall in place while expressing the corporation’s strength and longevity.

The sounds of the water feature are set just right to create a soft and reassuring experience. Sitting at the fountain you get a sense of serenity.

Together, with the angled lines in the terrazzo floor, the overhanging conference rooms, engine striping in the elevators that provide a three-dimensional effect, and woodwork and soffits intuitively guiding people through the space, the beauty gained in the design choices makes employees happy and enhances well-being. As so many studies have shown, when employees are happy, they do better work.

At the core of Erie Insurance’s purpose is a commitment “to provide policyholders with as near perfect protection, as near perfect services, as is humanly possible.” The new Thomas B. Hagen Building’s design never loses sight of that human element in its design for change; it emphasizes treating employees well, and that has manifested itself in a great place to work for Erie employees through a relationship with the project team of over 30 years.