At the start of 2020, we had big plans surrounding new office moves and openings. With the unexpected arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, our plans slowed down but never stopped. We successfully moved both our Atlanta and Portland USA Building teams to new offices, and we’re excited to showcase photos and features of our newest spaces—check them out below.
Atlanta, Georgia
245 Peachtree Center Avenue, Suite 2500
Located in Peachtree Center in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, our new office location offers so much more for both employees and visitors. The office space, which is seeking LEED® certification, features working areas on outdoor terraces, more than 260 dining options, and the highest Walk Score® in the city—which measures the walkability of any business and how close it is to nearby amenities.
The main design concept for the space is “southern hospitality.” Since our Atlanta office is a regional hub, our team wants it to be warm and inviting for both visitors and employees. There is natural light where possible, along with natural materials and textures, and softened colors throughout the space.
The lobby includes various sitting areas and a kitchen for visitors and employees to enjoy. The open floor plan brings natural light in, and all the meeting rooms have glass walls to enhance this.
Implemented in the office is a fully programmable lighting control system, with dimming capabilities and daylight harvesting along perimeter areas so natural light can be used as much as possible. Half of the outlet receptacles are designed to turn off when not used (by occupancy sensor) to save energy. All plumbing fixtures in the space are water-saving. All windows have shades or UV light film on them, which helps with internal heating from the sun.
Large cubicles and offices have been converted to an open floor plan for the entire office. There are multiple huddle rooms throughout the space for smaller informal meetings, which allows for more collaboration between teams.
Our favorite feature of the new Atlanta office is the “chill zone”—an area that has open collaboration tables and a work break area with a putting green.
To ensure the safety of our employees and visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, our new Atlanta office has implemented strict protocols. Six feet of separation must be maintained at all desks, and in conference rooms and common areas, which is reinforced with floor tape. There are sanitizing wipes in all conference rooms and near common touchpoints, like the coffee station. Masks are required for individuals at all times unless they are sitting at their desk. Additionally, employees and visitors fill out our Self Health Check mobile app and take their temperature daily. There is also signage throughout covering these points.
Portland, Oregon
1010 NW Flanders Street Suite 500
Now located in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, the historic Pearl District, our new Portland, Oregon office blends in seamlessly with its new setting. While the new property's brick exterior is eye-catching, it’s the interior features and updates that are really unique. Our new Portland office is also currently seeking LEED certification.
The design inspiration for our new Portland office is centered on combining the Skanska brand with the historic Pearl District. Our team created a space that encourages a collaborative culture and makes people want to visit and stay awhile.
Areas of the new office for employees to enjoy include a library for quiet work time, a kitchen that features a sparkling water and coffee machine, and a private wellness room for anyone who needs a break in their day, specifically designed for new mothers who are nursing.
Every desk features smart storage space to enhance convenience for employees and keep the open office environment uncluttered. Sound reducing solutions, including ceiling panels and white noise, have also been installed to ensure a quieter open office environment.
Our new Portland office features various sustainability-related updates, including water dispensers on both floors to reduce plastic bottle use, dimming switches at each workstation to conserve energy, tons of natural light and low-flush toilets.
Last but not least, our new Portland office features a 2,500 square-foot rooftop deck with WiFi that employees can access to work outdoors or host meetings.
To create a safe and healthy environment for our Portland colleagues and visitors that reduces virus transmission, our team incorporated custom solutions for air quality and technology into the new office. This includes high-efficiency filters, increased outdoor air intake and touch-free controls for building systems.
