The Madison, Wisconsin, office of a video game developer needed to simultaneously reflect the companies’ Seoul, South Korea, headquarters and the grungy, yet playful, spirit of its signature game.
The expansion and renovation of part of a floor in a building on Madison’s capitol square focused on collaboration, amenity spaces, and individual work spaces.
Where staff and guests once entered directly into an undersized kitchenette, a reception area now sits facing a secure entry, surrounded by rusted metal panels inlaid with red strips of light.
Around the corner, the relocated and expanded break area is infused with nods to the game including a wall of helmets and a signature phrase and helmet icons lit up in a custom neon sign.
Video game developers are notorious for working long hours. So, the company wanted to create spaces for rest and respite. The break area features a long and angled island with ample seating and space for the regular lunches catered in for staff.
Soft seating is strategically placed along the windows with views of Capitol Square and an abundance of natural light. Individual workstations were purposefully located to maintain views through the floor-to-ceiling windows but are far enough away to avoid glare on computer screens.
Closed-door collaboration and conference areas are placed on the interior where felt walls, black out acoustic curtains, thickened staggered stud walls, acoustic ceiling panels, and double-glazed glass walls create ideal conditions for game testing without disturbing other’s work.
Custom artwork commissioned by the company, including two large shipping containers with game and studio location iconography and “graffiti” murals, were incorporated into the layout and palette. Plants are used to create natural buffers between gathering and work areas and were planned from the outset of the project.
Other whimsical nods to the damage and carnage typical to many video games include the jagged openings to nooks and rooms. Because maps play a prominent role in the game, rows of X (marking the spot) line the exterior wall of workstations and movable glass walls.
