
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.
8 solutions from 6 manufacturers
Lecture Stool
The Lecture Stool is a modern reinterpretation of a classic elementary school chair design, adapted for counter height use. It features a one- piece, bent-plywood seat and back, with a functional leather and brass handle. The black, powder-coated steel legs are reinforced with sturdy flat bar stabilizers and a simple ergonomic footrest. The Lecture Stool combines comfort, design, and durability. Available in Black, Walnut, or Ash.
Slim Leg Height-Adjustable Desk
The Slim Leg height-adjustable desk (HAD) was designed to support wellbeing and dynamic work. The light and modern aesthetic integrates seamlessly with other Steelcase products while providing a visual richness.
Element Lounge Chair
The Element lounge chair emerges from international design classics but reinterprets them in a contemporary language. It stands out for its comfort, formal lightness, and the chromatic play of the seams on its backrest and the perimeter of the cushions. This precise upholstery work offers differentiation through different fabrics or leathers, combined with aluminum bases, adapting to common and waiting areas of all kinds of facilities.
Answer
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.
Coco
Simplicity is the key to elegance. Solid black-stained acacia wood is runway ready in three beautiful table shapes that will never go out of fashion. Tabletop has a gentle beveled edge detail to dress up any room.
Flex Chair
Flex Chair is the perfect office chair and an elegant option for hospitality projects, large assemblies or residential uses. The collection is composed of chairs, armchairs and stools with thermos-polymer or upholstered fiberglass reinforced shell which are combined with different options based on metal or wood.
3 professionals brought this vision to life
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