Understanding what drives the need for change
The Trade Desk’s Irvine office expansion brought a unique set of challenges: transforming an existing, multi-floor workplace into a more connected, engaging environment while maximizing the value of previously installed assets.
Spanning 16,000+ square feet across newly connected floors, the project needed to support a growing team of 100+ employees while encouraging a stronger return-to-office culture. The goal was to create a workplace compelling enough for employees to choose to be in the office four days a week—not just out of necessity, but because the space genuinely supports how they work best.
A key constraint—and opportunity—was the emphasis on heavy furniture reuse. Rather than starting from scratch, the design needed to thoughtfully integrate existing inventory into a refreshed environment, balancing sustainability, cost-efficiency, and a cohesive aesthetic.
Additionally, The Trade Desk prioritized collaboration over traditional layouts, with a need for more dynamic spaces, including non-typical environments like “war rooms,” as well as reimagined corners of the building into high-impact collaboration zones.
How we brought the vision to life
Partnering with HOK, Tangram delivered a furniture-focused solution that prioritized flexibility, reuse, and elevated collaboration while seamlessly integrating with the broader architectural vision.
A major driver of the strategy was adaptive reuse—repurposing a significant portion of existing furniture to align with the new layout and design intent. This approach not only supported sustainability goals but also allowed the team to maximize budget impact, allocating resources toward key moments and upgraded collaborative settings.
To support The Trade Desk’s culture of innovation and teamwork, the space was intentionally programmed with a variety of collaboration-forward environments. Traditional workstations were complemented by meeting rooms, huddle spaces, private offices, and a range of informal settings like Orangebox Campers & Dens and social hubs. These diverse environments empower employees to choose how and where they work throughout the day.
One of the most distinctive elements of the project is the use of banquette seating in place of millwork. This move introduced greater flexibility, allowing spaces to be reconfigured over time while maintaining a polished, built-in aesthetic. It also helped activate underutilized areas—particularly building corners—transforming them into inviting collaboration zones.
Special attention was given to unique, high-impact spaces such as the “war rooms,” which break from traditional office typologies to support focused, high-energy teamwork. Meanwhile, wellness and support spaces—including a wellness room and mother’s room—ensure the workplace supports the full spectrum of employee needs.
The result is a thoughtfully layered environment where reused and new elements work seamlessly together, reinforcing both function and design continuity across floors.
6 professionals brought this vision to life
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