Harbor Distributing
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Harbor Distributing

Tangram Infuses Harbor Distributing's Office with Vibrant SoCal Vibes: A Fusion of Innovation, Collaboration, and Craftsmanship

ClientHuntington Beach, CA40,000 sq ft2016
Business Units
Contract Furniture
Market
Workplaces
Partners
Gensler
The Challenge

Understanding what drives the need for change

Harbor Distributing had built something remarkable over four decades – a beer distribution empire spanning 800 square miles of Southern California, serving over 5,600 accounts and moving 20 million cases annually. But their workspace hadn't evolved to match their dynamic company culture. As part of the Reyes Holdings family since 1989, Harbor needed an office environment that would reflect both their deep beer industry heritage and the innovative, fun-loving spirit that made them successful in the competitive Southern California market.

The existing 40,000 square foot space felt disconnected from the energy and creativity that drove their business forward. Harbor's leadership envisioned a workspace that would celebrate their beer distributor roots while embracing the laid-back Southern California lifestyle that defined their region. They wanted employees to feel the same excitement walking into the office as they felt about the premium craft, imported, and domestic beer brands they represented.

Photography by Lawrence Anderson
Our Approach

How we brought the vision to life

Tangram approached this workspace transformation by diving deep into what made Harbor unique – their beer heritage and coastal location. We developed a design narrative inspired by wheat and barley, the fundamental ingredients of their business, translating these elements into a warm, sophisticated color palette. The design story extended to incorporate surfboard motifs and the gold and blue hues of Southern California's coastline, creating an authentic connection between place and purpose.

Our design partnership focused on balancing high-end aesthetics with practical functionality. We specified Steelcase Answer systems for over 50 collaborative workstations that could adapt to Harbor's evolving needs, while outfitting 25+ private offices with refined Gunlocke Credentials furniture. Bernhardt seating throughout the space provided both comfort and style in conference areas. The crown jewel of the project became what employees lovingly named 'Tiger Joe's Lounge' – an outdoor space furnished with premium Janus Et Cie pieces that became the heart of workplace collaboration and connection.

The Results
50+
Modern workstations installed with collaborative functionality to support Harbor's dynamic team
40,000
Square feet transformed to authentically reflect company culture and Southern California spirit
100%
Employee adoption of 'Tiger Joe's Lounge' as the go-to space for informal meetings and connection
Featured Products

2 solutions

· 6488cbaf1124f2c31059d863

Media:scape Lounge

Connect. Share. Collaborate. The media:scape lounge system’s geometric, modular design enables small teams to comfortably connect and easily collaborate.

Answer Panel

Answer panel features a broad range of materiality options, allowing you to express your brand, reinforce culture and protocols, or support the sharing and recording of ideas.

Project Team

1 professionals brought this vision to life

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