Baker Barrios Architects Completes 15,000-Square-Foot Office Renovation for Global Headquarters of WilsonHCG

Baker Barrios Architects, a national multi-disciplinary design firm, today announced the completion of its 15,000-square-foot gut renovation and build-out of the global headquarters for Tampa, Fla.-based Wilson , an international corporate talent recruitment and consulting firm.

“There is no question the way today’s companies utilize their office space has changed, and for a modern firm like WilsonHCG whose clients include leading international legal, media and healthcare companies, it’s even more important their physical space aligns with their corporate identity,” said Virginia Larrea, NCARB, NCIDQ, RA, RID . ”Baker Barrios had the opportunity to truly transform this office and make it better reflect its team as well as the desires of today’s office worker. This corporate makeover is one of many examples of the trend toward updating and upgrading office spaces and amenities as companies work to encourage people to return to the office as well as balance the needs of hybrid schedules.”

This transformation included adding amenities like a full-service café-style kitchen and entertainment lounge including a putting green, as well as respite rooms to take a break and decompress and a lactation/mothers’ lounge.

“Good office design supports the following: focus mode, where individuals are ‘head down;’ collaborative mode, where team synergies can happen; and regenerative mode, where individuals can? recharge with either a leisure activity like darts or power down for a brief rest. This serves as our guide when planning office interiors, and we’re very pleased with the way the new WilsonHCG headquarters incorporates all three,” said Larrea.

However, Larrea noted, the process was not without its challenges. “A lot has changed in terms of codes and other requirements for office buildings since the building was originally constructed, so that was one of our first things to address,” she said. “Another challenge is the unique shape of the building – essentially each floor is one big circle. This came into play when laying out the various spaces in a way that made sense for how the offices need to serve the company while still optimizing the best feature of the space: the amazing view of the Hillsborough River and Tampa Bay.”

To capture the daylight and views, Baker Barrios configured the floorplan to place common spaces mostly on the exterior and to have internal spaces be walled off with glass enhanced with a privacy film to keep natural light throughout. Baker Barrios further amplified the impression of open space by removing the existing drop-down ceiling, exposing the mechanicals for an industrial aesthetic and? adding ceiling height. The ceilings were enhanced with modern acoustical panels to add visual interest while minimizing noise. Sound transfer was also a consideration in the flooring selection, with carpet inserts and carpeted areas incorporated throughout. “It’s about striking the right balance between form and function,” she said.

?Larrea also noted this is an example of a converse take on the current corporate trend of moving office space to provide a modern experience. “This WilsonHCG heaquarter renovation shows how the investment in a company’s existing office space had return the same desired outcome: a workspace the checks all the boxes that today’s workers seek without the move.”

For more information on Baker Barrios’ services and to view current and past projects, visit www.bakerbarrios.com .