The primary design charge by RigUp, a dynamic Austin startup business, was to both create an inspiring work place that efficiently functions for the office activities, as well as to symbolically engender the brand externally. A more specific request was the design of a simple, modern, and warm work space for a growing team of more than 100 employees. The young, tech-savvy company was looking to minimize distractions while also offering a cozy and residential feel to a commercial work environment. The objectives were achieved through the layout, material selection, integrated biophilic design, and a collaborative approach throughout the design process.

The new RigUp headquarters fills an entire floor of a downtown Austin skyscraper. From the elevator lobby, a large and linear core clad in white oak houses the main functions of the space including telephone booths, kitchenettes, restrooms, and seats for conversations and small gatherings. Radiating out from the core, the space opens to workstations and lounge areas, composed of custom steel-and-glass partitions and custom oak furniture on exposed concrete floors. The open space complements the wood core with site-fabricated wood desks, aligned under a layer of sound-absorbing LED boards. The desks are angled to respond to the existing building perimeter and capitalize on the view towards Lady Bird Lake. Lounge areas and small meeting rooms break up the large open floor area while creating a buffer between work and relaxation. Unlike the meeting rooms which have neutral gray carpeting to blend with the exposed concrete flooring, the use of bold patterned rugs offers the lounge areas a bit of relief for an area of repose. Moreover, each lounge has a different character, designed with individuality through furniture, light fixtures, and views.

On the other side of the central wood core, large conference rooms encased in custom steel and glass frames highlight northeast views towards downtown. Operable doors between the conference rooms create dynamic spaces for meeting. Carpeting with a deep-hued color differentiates these rooms from the other areas.