Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan education and social policy research organization headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1974 by the Ford Foundation and other government agencies, MDRC is committed to finding solutions to social policy issues including reducing poverty and bolstering economic self-sufficiency to improving public education, and college graduation rates. TPG was engaged to design MDRC’s new headquarters as they relocated from Midtown Manhattan to a 55,000 square feet space in 200 Vesey Street at Brookfield Place.

The office relocation would not only help MDRC save on real estate costs by reducing their footprint but would also allow the nonprofit to create a space that engages staff and positively affects their culture and work. Due to the nature of MDRC’s research-intensive work, the new office needed a mix of loud, collaborative spaces with dedicated quiet areas for heads-down work. Through pragmatic programming and planning, TPG helped transform MDRC’s work environment from a private office intensive setting to a functional open floorplan with 100% sit to stand desks. To help foster interaction and collaboration, the office’s café, reception, and mailroom bar were strategically planned as continuous adjacent spaces creating a hub of activity. The new office also celebrates MDRC’s research and publications which are displayed in the reception and throughout the office.

TPG’s Strategy & Innovation team collaborated with MDRC in an effort to inform and educate the staff about the change in work habits to suit the new environment. Working with a group of staff ambassadors across the organization, the Strategy team walked MDRC through the change management process.