Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB) is a global marketing communications company and one of the largest global advertising agency networks. Founded in 1873, FCB is a part of the larger Interpublic Group (IPG) and is based in New York City. TPG has been working with parent company IPG for a number of years on workplace projects for many subsidiaries including CMG, FCB Cure, and Neon. TPG has previously worked with the client on their NYC headquarters at 100 W 33rd Street when the brand was known as Draft FCB. As the brand continues to shift and evolve, the client engaged TPG with a multi-phase renovation project of their 5th and 6th floors of their existing building, to better suit their business needs.
The client wanted to modernize and refresh different quadrants of the building’s 5th floor, home to FCB Worldwide, and the 6th floor which houses FCB Health. Incorporating additional workstations and improving transparency in the workplace were goals of the client that TPG was able to achieve in the redesign. The client sought a more open environment as their previous space was dark and dated. TPG’s design team incorporated benched seating to help open up the space and maximize headcount. Maximizing daylight in the workplace was also essential, so the design team eliminated perimeter offices. Executives that previously sat in closed offices now occupy the open floorplan and adjacent lounge meeting rooms provide privacy when needed.
Instead of a traditional reception desk on the 5th floor, the client wanted employees and visitors to be able to see the action of the workspace upon entering the office. Thus, guests are welcomed by a collaborative work area with a digital media wall for promoting their creative work, or hosting presentations. Due to the collaborative nature of the agency’s work, a variety of flexible seating areas are incorporated throughout the space. The enhanced office also features a mix of phone booth rooms, video editing suites, as well as a larger town hall area, a multipurpose space that is flexible to host a variety of workshops, focus groups with clients, and internal lectures and events.
