Confidential Dental Health Insurance Client Headquarters

Project Statement

The main objectives for the new workspace design were to encourage employees to return to the office, restore pre-Covid energy and culture, and create a distinctive experience for both clients and staff—while highlighting the client’s impact on the wellness of Tennessee communities. The team delivered the project within a compressed schedule and in a new shell space with significantly less square footage than the previous office.

Grounded in the client’s belief that everyone deserves a healthy smile, the design draws inspiration from the kaleidoscope—an object that is timeless yet ever-changing. Like each unique smile, individuals bring their own perspective; together, they create cohesive patterns that reflect the stories of the communities served. The client is represented as the constant mirror: a trusted, transparent partner committed to quality service and genuine connection built on honesty, trust, and respect.

The new workspace embodies this concept with meaningful shapes, colors, and patterns representing the impact the client continues to make both inside and outside the company. The client’s unique story and community involvement is told through thoughtfully designed environmental graphics that evoke a sense of authenticity and personal connection. At $221 sq/ft, the space strikes a balance between an elevated, timeless aesthetic and a warm, approachable atmosphere, creating an inviting environment. With emphasis on local culture, the design incorporates elements of local artistry and a sense of place that celebrates the community’s distinct character. Central to the layout is a generous hub space that fosters collaboration and connection, serving as a dynamic gathering place for both employees and clients. Adding an element of fun and relaxation, a dedicated game room featuring a golf simulator offers a creative way to engage and bond outside traditional work settings. While the new space constitutes a considerable reduction of square footage compared to their previous office, the new efficient layout supports various work styles through diverse social and focused areas. The design blends assigned seating with flexible free-address workstations to foster adaptability and consolidate space, ultimately creating an inspired, functional, and community-centered workplace.

Overall, the project not only delivers a visually compelling and meaningful environment but also enhances the client’s culture by supporting interaction, creativity, and well-being. It stands as a vibrant example of how design can reflect a company’s values and foster an inspiring and cohesive workplace experience.

Design for Integration (connecting people to place): Because the client’s identity is deeply rooted in Tennessee, the workplace intentionally reflects a strong sense of place. Experiential, custom graphics share the company’s history and long-standing commitment to serving communities across the state, complemented by an interactive, custom map that illustrates where—and how—the client is making an impact in Tennessee. Local artwork was curated to celebrate regional creativity, and a bespoke wallcovering capturing the Smoky Mountains reinforces the connection to the landscape.

 

Design for Equitable Communities (opportunities to include, engage, and promote human connection): A key project driver was restoring pre-Covid energy and culture while creating a distinctive, welcoming experience for both clients and staff. The plan is organized around a generous central hub that supports collaboration, informal interaction, and community-building throughout the day. A dedicated game room with a golf simulator adds an engaging, low-pressure setting for team connection beyond traditional work modes. Even with a significantly reduced footprint, the efficient layout supports a variety of work styles through a balanced mix of social and focus spaces, blending assigned seating with flexible free-address workstations to promote choice, adaptability, and a more connected workplace.

 

Design for Well-Being (supporting wellbeing and social interaction): Rebuilding connection after Covid was the primary motivation for the move, and the design responds by creating intentional moments for community alongside quiet, focused work areas. A more condensed, efficient floor plan increases flexibility and makes it easier for teams to naturally cross paths throughout the day. A spacious wellness room provides a dedicated space for restoration, while interactive employee walls with custom graphics encourage engagement and shared ownership of the workplace. Throughout the office, graphics that reflect the company’s culture, mission, and history reinforce belonging and strengthen connections between employees and visiting clients. Comfortable areas for gathering, lounging, and recreation further support day-to-day wellbeing and social interaction and overall the workplace offers a variety of spaces to meet different workstyle needs.