UCLA Anderson School of Management
Tangram and Gensler Collaborate to Elevate UCLA Anderson School of Management's Marion Anderson Hall with Functional Elegance and Aesthetic Harmony
Understanding what drives the need for change
When UCLA Anderson School of Management opened the doors to their stunning new Marion Anderson Hall in 2019, they faced a unique challenge that many prestigious institutions encounter: how do you furnish a world-class facility without compromising its architectural brilliance? The four-story, 60,000-square-foot expansion represented a significant investment in the future of business education, featuring soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, and sophisticated architectural details that demanded equally thoughtful interior solutions.
The school needed furniture that could handle the intense daily demands of graduate business education while maintaining an atmosphere of excellence that would inspire students, faculty, and visiting executives. With spaces ranging from intimate study areas to large event venues, every piece needed to serve multiple functions while contributing to a cohesive visual narrative. The challenge was clear: create an environment that felt as intentional and refined as the education UCLA Anderson provides.
How we brought the vision to life
Tangram's design team understood that this wasn't simply about selecting beautiful furniture—it was about creating spaces that would enhance the educational experience. Working hand-in-hand with Gensler's architectural team, we developed a comprehensive furniture strategy that treated each floor as part of a unified whole while respecting the unique character of different spaces.
Our curation process focused on three key principles: architectural harmony, functional resilience, and timeless appeal. We carefully selected pieces from Steelcase, Coalesse, and Viccarbe, choosing each item not just for its individual merit but for how it would contribute to the overall composition. The neutral color palette we established allowed the architecture to remain the star while ensuring that furniture would age gracefully alongside the building. Every decision was made with the long-term vision in mind—creating spaces that would serve the school's mission for decades to come.
1 professionals brought this vision to life
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