Swinerton
A harmonious blend of tones and textures to compliment this modern workspace design.
Understanding what drives the need for change
When Swinerton decided to expand their Texas operations, they needed more than just another office space. This leading commercial construction company, known for their work across office, retail, hospitality, and healthcare sectors nationwide, was establishing a significant presence in Dallas with a new team housed in the vibrant East Quarter near downtown. The challenge was complex: create an 11,000-square-foot workspace on the third floor of a historic building that would honor both the structure's architectural heritage and the neighborhood's distinctive character, while maintaining the functional layout standards that had proven successful across other Swinerton locations.
The space needed to accommodate the full spectrum of modern work styles, from focused individual tasks to large group collaborations. Swinerton required private offices for concentrated work, open collaboration areas for team projects, intimate huddle rooms for quick meetings, formal conference and board rooms for client presentations, a welcoming reception area, a wellness room for employee recharge, workstations for daily operations, and a work café that could serve as both a dining space and informal meeting area. Each zone needed to feel cohesive while serving its unique purpose, creating a workplace that would attract top talent while reflecting Swinerton's professional standards and collaborative culture.
How we brought the vision to life
Working alongside IA Interior Architects, our team at Tangram developed a design strategy that wove together the building's industrial history with Swinerton's operational needs. We established a sophisticated color palette anchored by blue-grey tones, rich toffee leather accents, and neutral elements that would create visual continuity across all eight functional zones. This palette drew inspiration from the East Quarter's urban aesthetic while maintaining the professional atmosphere essential for client-facing spaces.
The furniture strategy centered on flexibility and consistency. Steelcase Verlay tables appeared throughout the space in varying finishes—deep walnut for collaboration areas, lighter walnut for meeting rooms, and clean laminates for the café—creating a thread of continuity while allowing each area to have its own character. We paired these with carefully selected seating options, from Viccarbe Maarten conference chairs in blue-grey upholstery to Andreu World guest chairs in that signature toffee leather, ensuring that an employee moving from their private office to a huddle room to the café would experience a cohesive design language.
Privacy and adaptability were built into every decision. The private offices featured Steelcase Privacy Walls that could transform from open collaboration spaces to private retreats with high-power mobility features. Height-adjustable desks throughout the space acknowledged the diverse work styles of Swinerton's team, while tackable modesty screens and magnetic panels at workstations provided personalization options. The work café became the heart of the design, where high-top Verlay tables with white laminate tops and wooden legs created gathering spaces for up to eight people, while intimate black laminate rounds with Steelcase Bindu chairs offered quieter spots for smaller conversations.
3 professionals brought this vision to life
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