THE STORY

The Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) of North Carolina is a private, non-profit organization which manages Research Triangle Park (RTP), a collaborative Innovation Center which spans 7,000 acres and is home to over 375 companies. Since 1959, RTP has been invigorating the regional economy by making connections between people, companies, and universities. It’s home to three Tier 1 Research Universities and has gained an international reputation as a trailblazer in the science and technology spheres. RTP is also recognized for its local impact, winning titles such as TCREW Champion Award: Best Development Project 2022 and the James Beard Award for Boxyard RTP’s exceptional food and entertainment offerings as well as its inclusive culture.

Office Revolution was invited to interview to work on the relocation of RTF’s corporate headquarters thanks to our existing relationship with BridgePoint General Contracting, and we were selected as the furniture partner for the project because of our demonstrated understanding of end user needs. RTF’s new space was designed by O’Brien Atkins Associates in response to feedback gathered in an organizational assessment conducted in 2020, a key takeaway of which was that RTF employees wanted to work in a collaborative shared environment.

Giving employees a voice in the process of creating the new space was a top priority for RTF, so we brought the RTF team to Teknion’s Washington DC showroom and Studio TK’s Clayton NC facility to participate in exploratory social flow exercises and programming to help us discover how they work and to customize their space accordingly. Their previous environment had a traditional layout with little dedicated collaboration space, so we incorporated flexible spaces, such as huddle rooms and open collaboration ares, into their new space to help facilitate more communication and a sense of community.

Also, the addition of social zones such as the breakroom and outdoor patios encourage employees to take breaks and connect with their teammates. The outcome of this was a space that not only delivered maximum functionality for them but would also make an inviting first impression for potential RTP tenants visiting the space.

We utilized the findings from the DC trip to develop many tailored solutions, such as a combined adjustable workstation configuration with Teknion District and HiSpace for the open offices and flexible open collab spaces outfitted with reconfigurable solutions such as Teknion Routes mobile boards and Studio TK Cesto Poufs. Studio TK lounge furniture also makes a statement in the lobby, where Havn lounge chairs and Sly tables create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Teknion Tek Vue Architural Interiors provide meeting rooms with the perfect balance of visual transparency and acoustic privacy.

Outside, Grand Rapids Chair Co. Hula chairs are finished in cheerful orange and blue to incorporate RTF’s brand colors into a charming picnic and lounge area shaded by large umbrellas. The outdoor space also features the Landscape Forms GO table, a special request from the organization’s CEO, where employees can have informal meetings while enjoying the outdoors.

Not only were we able to work closely with RTF to optimize their space for day-to-day use, but we also partnered alongside the client and GC to strategically stage and phase the installation process to meet the targeted timeline. Both inside and out, RTF’s corporate headquarters reflects their commitment to the well-being of their employees, as well as their dedication to advancing the academic and economic future of
North Carolina.