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Cobec Consulting

Challenge
Solution
Impact

Challenge

The newly relocated client, Cobec Consulting approached FOX Architects to design their new space. The
client placed utmost value on the staff experience. Initial visioning goals included maximizing natural
light in the office space, creating a flexible and social atmosphere that encouraged the staff to bring their
entire self to work. They identified a great existing culture that they wanted to keep and nurture within an
innovative and thought-provoking environment. However, due to the global pandemic, Cobec Consulting
was motivated to reconsider their current hybrid workplace strategy.

Solution

As the pandemic evolved and hybrid work became widely accepted, the leadership saw an opportunity
to reevaluate how they approached their space. Surveys and open discussions with their employees
help supported this change. To support a variety of worker style and types, the space was broken into
neighborhoods – focus, social, leadership and community. Each neighborhood creates a different
atmosphere so users can change their environment as their work changes or how they feel throughout
the day. Also, wellness spaces were designed to address the social and emotional needs of employees.
The FOX Architects’ design team looked to the surrounding residential vernacular as inspiration. Playing
off a juxtaposition of two distinct row home styles – federal and mid-century modern. To highlight these
two opposing languages, federalist style molding, herringbone flooring, midcentury inspired lighting, and
rounded edges are introduced into the space.

Impact

Because of Cobec Consulting’s decision to reconsider their pre-pandemic workplace strategy, the organization took the same amount of square footage but reduced the desking count by 50%. This action resulted in more area for social spaces, small zoom rooms, and additional collaboration zones. By going to a more agile desking model, Cobec is now able to grow as organization without needing to take additional space. Hoteling and alternative workspaces helped increase overall headcount which in turn reduced the overall square footage per person, leading in significant cost savings.