SmithGroup - San Diego Office

SmithGroup served as the design firm and client for this new office. The project team – comprised of disciplines across the company’s portfolio of integrated design services – created a flexible, LEED Silver-certified workplace that embodies the youthful identity of the San Diego team, supports its creative and collaborative work style, and highlights the culture and legacy that make SmithGroup unique.

Designed to Maximize Flexibility
SmithGroup’s new San Diego office is designed to maximize adaptability and support a range of uses and modifications without costly renovations. Offering employees a variety of seating options – including a break room, board room, open office desking, team pods, pin-up areas, huddle rooms and enclaves – the workplace is designed as a “kit of parts.”

Outfitted with a range of desks, high-top tables, banquettes and ergonomic furniture systems that give employees autonomy over how and where they work, the office is configured to accommodate 36 workstations and can be easily transformed to seat up to 60 employees with minimum downtime or cost.  Foldable glass wall partition systems, mobile furnishings mounted on casters and a large pivoting island enable spaces to effortlessly transition as needs change – allowing the office to host everything from casual lunches, group meetings or large-scale social, educational and networking events with ease. 

Creative Use of Colors and Materials 
A refined palette of earthy tones, textures and finishes was chosen to create a sophisticated yet playful interior with a distinct sense of place. Materials and colors are creatively applied to identify and assign purpose to various spaces throughout the office, while natural wood tones, greenery and outdoor-inspired lighting were used to further elevate the user experience. Many features were inspired by the iconic bridges and piers found throughout San Diego.  The design creates a cohesive – but not homogenous – feel accentuated by thoughtfully curated elements that reinforce the firm’s culture and celebrate its legacy.

Notable facts about the design of the office include:

• The office entrance was designed to highlight views of nearby Coronado Island and other notable landmarks 
• A wall of alternating flat and bay windows along the southern perimeter creates a stunning backdrop for the office’s primary circulation path. Dubbed “the Bridge,” it serves as the backbone of the floorplan and defines the east-to-west corridor that traverses the space. 
• The ceiling is painted blue to represent the Coronado Bridge
• Walls throughout the office showcase a hand-painted mural of the city created by a local artist
• A custom-designed tile inlay on the floor reflects SmithGroup’s founding date
• An etched glass illustration of Detroit’s historic Guardian Building represents SmithGroup’s long-standing legacy
• Artifacts representing other SmithGroup locations are hidden like “Easter eggs” throughout the office to encourage exploration and add a touch of whimsy to the design

Creating a Unique Workspace
The design of this office is a standout solution that is uniquely representative of SmithGroup, the San Diego landscape, and the teammates that work within the space. In real time, it demonstrates how vibrancy, flexibility and a meaningful design narrative are central to a successful workplace strategy—underscoring important factors that drive organizational success.