Crocs is a global company with multiple corporate offices worldwide. The organization is complex, and the demands for different departments are wide-ranging. Crocs worked with Denver-based Venture Architects to create an open, light-filled space in Broomfield where their creative teams could thrive while also accommodating the myriad business functions and extreme privacy required to function in their competitive industry. We set out to create a dynamic and interesting space that strongly reinforced the brand and culture. We started calling it ‘A Home for Work’ – a place that is comfortable, casual and makes people feel at ease. We wanted to create a place where their people would want to come every day and do their best work.
We were given a blank canvas in the form of an untouched industrial flex core and shell building with 20-foot ceilings, skylights, and an uninterrupted 360-degree panorama of storefront views to the outside. We capitalized on the windows to provide equal daylight to every employee and harnessed the building length to create interesting corporate ‘neighborhoods’ throughout the building. As there was no true back side of the building, equal attention was paid to each side of the building, and while there is a main entrance and reception, each department has varied amenities – huddle spaces, open gathering areas, coffee counters, as well as architectural details that make each and every area special and ensure the entire space is well-integrated. Much of the core and shell were left untouched in order to maximize the volume and daylighting. Everything from the lighting to the mechanical systems was designed to add architectural interest and highlight the exposed structure. We also put great care into the layout of the departments and in-board offices to break up large expanses of open office and allow for cross-departmental collaboration.
At the end of the day, we were not interested in giving Crocs a big trendy warehouse in which to conduct business. Instead, we sought to interpret their company, culture and product architecturally. Crocs is not a flashy company. In fact, they eschew most things that look too polished. They love their folksiness, their fun and their delightfully comfortable product. We worked hard to give them a beautiful and high-tech space, but one that still fees accessible and relaxed so that for the duration of their 10-year lease, they will be able to grow and develop as a brand entirely supported by the architecture of their space.
