Andre Kikoski Architecture designs a space fostering connection for PR client Prosek Partners at their NYC Headquarters.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, employees everywhere became accustomed to the convenience of working from home: some made an office out of their living room, others a desk out of their bedside table. For the design of its new headquarters, Prosek Partners, a renowned financial PR and integrated marketing agency, sought to create a workplace that would foster creativity, fun, and connection for its employees. The CEO Jen Prosek had an essential directive for the design of their 34,000-square-foot headquarters located on 28 East 28th Street in New York City:
build a space that is “better than home.”
In response to this task, Andre Kikoski Architecture (AKA) energized Prosek Partners’ office space with elements of nature, bold colors, and distinct references to Prosek’s brand identity, bringing a supercharged sense of personalization and innovation to the task. It is designed as a hub for employees, clients, and collaborators to foster community and creativity in a way that could not be accomplished at home.
Every detail of the office – from the tables to the rugs to the ceilings – offers texture, color, and comfort. Upon stepping out of the elevator, visitors are embraced by a wide, elliptical reception space whose walls are covered with custom-made cream-colored leather tiles that are an abstraction of the agency’s logo. An organic, free-form sofa (by Giorgetti) and an oversized elliptical ceiling fixture softly illuminated by ambient LEDs openly invite all who come in.
From this entry, a ‘main street’ runs the length of the office, punctuated by clusters of intimate workspaces inspired by New York City’s many pocket parks, small urban green spaces that demonstrate a tranquil balance between nature and city life. These scattered parks offer peaceful respite and access to nature, an experience that Prosek Partners wanted to offer to its employees and visitors. From the very beginning of the project, AKA embraced nature as both inspiration and a guide to create a holistic vision for the future of the office space.
Biophillic Wayfinding
AKA accordingly organized Prosek’s office into different zones, or “neighborhoods”, separated into sections by planted anthropomorphic “tables” designed in collaboration with XS space and made of preserved live moss and sustainably harvested birch trees. The paths between each neighborhood mimic the many rectilinear trails and walkways within each iconic pocket park: one needs to look no further than Madison Square Park, which stands just outside the building.
Each of these zones serves their own purpose: there are distinct neighborhoods for collaborative brainstorming, individual work, community-building, meetings, and eating and drinking. Individual spaces are delineated by a bright color that appears in hexagonal acoustic tiles on the walls and ceiling, along with custom carpets (by Bentley Mills) that also display an artistic adaptation of the Prosek logo. Neighborhoods are furnished with clean, modern desks designed by Italian furniture maker, LAS.
One of AKA’s stated goals was to create spaces and provide amenities that Prosek’s staff would readily engage with. Designers wanted to cultivate meaningful relationships and allow for new ways of working. Social hubs, similarly furnished with sculpturally striking Giorgetti pieces, are dotted throughout the office, and a large living and dining area gives employees a myriad of opportunities to be with each other. The main living space additionally features an oversized media wall that can instantly switch its display from exhibiting art to showing high-definition video presentations, cleverly redefining how Prosek’s team can use and interact with the space.
Employees can also gather for a caffeine fix at the café space, with its large island lit by glowing concentric ellipses that recall AKA’s celebrated work at the Guggenheim Museum. Furthermore, an outdoor terrace runs the length of the building between 27th and 28th Streets on Madison Avenue: employees looking to enliven their workspace or enjoy a moment of relaxation can step outside to an assortment of drought-tolerant plants and flowers, ample seating, and a covered pergola with motorized louvers. The terrace also features state-of-the-art speakers, infra-red heating, and an imported bar of Italian steel.
Natural light and views of New York City icons, like the Empire State Building, flood the space, but AKA still carefully considered their lighting strategy. Cooley Monato Studios worked closely with AKA to ensure that nothing about the space would feel cold or harsh. LEDs – used in a combination of up and down lighting – quickly brighten the office at night and on overcast days. The new Prosek headquarters asserts itself as a living space with a bright personality.
The new Prosek Partners’ office is a dwelling of sorts that leans into the current fluid and adaptable office ecosystem without compromising on resources for comfort and camaraderie. Andre Kikoski Architecture has designed a space that upholds the agency’s discipline and edge with the vibrancy and legacy of the city of New York.
Project Planning
Jennifer Prosek, the CEO of Prosek Partners, was involved in planning from the start. She and Andre collaborated closely about every aspect of the design and overall “better than home” approach. The firm and senior leadership met with employees to discuss what was most important to them in terms of designing an office that provided a place that was comfortable and enriching for both working and building a community.
Project Details
The new Prosek Partners’ office provides a place of comfort and camaraderie for employees and clients. It is a destination for collaboration and connection – from the vast lounge areas, media spaces, private zoom rooms, and café bar to the terrace that trails along the entire floor and is complete with a pergola, seating, and plantings. Employees are surrounded by window views of the city and the ornate architecture that is nearby. None of the senior managers have windows in their office– these views are for the entire company to enjoy.
There is a direct connection to nature with the planted anthropomorphic “tables” that separate the office into zones.
These mimic the many pocket parks of the city, one of which is just downstairs (Madison Square Park). This playful greenery can bring a sense of calm to employees as they work.
The firm integrated the Prosek Partners’ cube logo and brand colors into the design – from the tables to the rugs to the ceilings.
Products
Giorgetti Furniture (19 Pieces)
- Disegual Table
- Gordon Custom Table
- Vesper Sofa
- Galet Coffee Table
- All Around Armchair
- Blend Coffee Table
- Shirley Bench
- Clamp Side Table
- Galet Sofa
- Skyline Side Table
- Aton Sofa
- Galet Pouf
- Montgomery Chair
- Janet Chair
- Ago Coffee Table
- Bigwig Table
- Diana Chair
- Pamina Chair
- Romeo Side Table
Tech Solutions
Employees can pre-book and check into their selected desk space each day, a hoteling-concept initiated by Prosek leadership. This approach gives employees a sense of freedom and flexibility for mapping out their workday, while allowing for greater interdepartmental connection and collaboration. Those who come to Prosek are encouraged to interact with the workspace in ways that fit their ever-evolving day-to-day needs.
Overall Project Results
Prosek Partners has been delighted with daily attendance in the new office. It has maxed out capacity multiple times since opening.
The office was designed to meet the changing demands of flexible workspaces, but also as a place where staff could gather and mingle. The large outdoor terrace has become the perfect setting for this. Staff at all levels not only sit outside to work in groups or independently, but gather there to talk, catch up, and enjoy the views of the city— something that they might not be able to experience in their own apartments.
Contributors:
Landscape Design: XS space
Lighting Design: Cooley Monato Studio
Artist: James Prosek (CEO’s brother)
Moss Isalnd/Greenwall Fabricator: GrowUp Greenwalls
Design
Andre Kikoski
Bina Bhatia
Photography
Scott Frances
