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ESAB

Challenge
Solution
Impact

Challenge

FOX Architects was commissioned by Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRIT) to design three turn-key suites at 909 Rose Ave. The commercial 230,000 SF, 12-story Class A building is a part of a new development in North Bethesda, formerly Rockville, Maryland, which includes shopping centers, restaurants, a dog park, retail, and a movie theater. The FOX team designed each turn-key suite to meet the custom needs of the three tenants.

ESAB, a world leader in welding and cutting equipment, expressed its desire for a new headquarters to reflect its mission and commitment to its employees. The design objective was to balance public spaces for the international community and private areas for the employees. The design team was tasked with delivering a completed design solution within six weeks while considering both the tenant’s desires with the landlord’s budget and timeline.

Solution

The solution focused on employee-driven design, highlighting the organization’s mission through visual representations. The design aimed to foster a sense of connection to the global presence of ESAB and remind employees that they are making a difference. To address this challenge, FOX Architects created a design that includes a welcoming and well-branded reception area for guests, along with a branding wall to guide them to the training center and multifunctional cafe with great views. Private executive areas were also incorporated, featuring conferencing and lounge areas. The conference area was strategically located right off the lobby to accommodate frequent guests. Additionally, the design included hospitality-driven and well-branded amenity spaces to enhance staff experiences and create a destination for staff to do their best work, while still prioritizing natural light and views for all employees. These design choices were made to create a destination where staff can do their best work and to prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of employees.

Impact

Despite a tight six-week timeline for the design to construction documents process, the design team skillfully balanced the tenant’s desires with the landlord’s budget and timeline. This was especially challenging due to supply pricing uncertainty, but the design team led the branding and furniture selection process, providing valuable input and recommendations. The resulting highly praised design has served as a backdrop for a commercial advertisement and inspired the international ESAB office to replicate it as a design standard.