Inspiring Teamwork at the Builders, Incorporated PA Headquarters

Teamwork made the dream work in Malvern, PA at the new Builders, Incorporated headquarters designed by Meyer.

Builders, Incorporated, a family-owned and operated full-service construction company, partnered with Meyer to design its brand-new corporate headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Meyer was tasked with creating an innovative workplace that housed each of Builders, Incorporated’s operations, including warehousing and offices, under one roof.  

Working closely as partners on this project, Meyer and Builders, Incorporated, who acted as the project’s construction manager, executed a signature headquarters that is both sophisticated and functional. Constructed using mass timber techniques and a mix of local, historic building materials, including stone from the original farm that previously occupied the property, the new workspace fuses tradition with modernity, creating an inspiring and welcoming environment for the construction company’s fully in-person workforce. The new headquarters, utilized by both employees and clients, masterfully demonstrates Builders, Incorporated’s diverse capabilities and high-quality workmanship.

Contemporary features include a metal standing roof, black window mullions, and an angled metal canopy that juxtapose natural materials used throughout the building’s structure. Inside, employees and guests are greeted by 25-foot-high wood-paneled ceilings, brickwork, exposed ductwork and metal joinery, and ample amounts of natural light. The open-office floor plan is complemented by a neutral color palette, furniture with natural wood finishes, and dark metal accent elements. Custom-built office spaces are partitioned with 12-foot-high demountable glass systems and fitted with enough desk space to accommodate construction drawings and site plans to support Builders, Incorporated’s day-to-day operations. 

The headquarters also features 2,000 square feet of warehouse space, three conference rooms, and dedicated entertainment and socialization spaces. A large café area, featuring a full-service kitchen, working fireplace, and entertainment center, connects to an outdoor deck fitted with a canopy and outdoor lighting overlooking a nearby pond, making the most of the office’s new location. 

Construction on Builders, Incorporated’s headquarters took around 18 months to complete. Employees, who are in-person five days per week, began using the space in September 2023. Meyer was responsible for architecture and interior design for this project. Jessica Nixon, interiors project manager at Meyer, led this build-to-suit project, alongside principals Phil Burkett and George Wilson, architect Todd Sell, architectural designer Danielle Carter, and interior designer Heather Witmer.

Project Planning

For this project, Meyer closely collaborated with Gregory Hill, president of Builders, Incorporated, as well as members of the construction firm’s management team to design a headquarters that reflects the full-service construction company’s identity, tailored to the needs of their employees and clients. Hill envisioned a new workspace that pushed the envelope in terms of materials and design details, creating a space that not only supports the diverse functions of the firm, but one that also showcases their construction expertise and breadth of services. Meyer conducted in-depth architectural research for the unique structural details seen in this project, including designing for the height of the space and creating a mass timber look and feel for the interior.

Project Details

Health and Wellness Initiatives

The design of Builders, Incorporated’s new headquarters maximizes access to natural daylight, with large windows on all sides of the building and the outdoor deck provides a space for outdoor work, meetings, and gatherings among employees and clients. Additionally, sit-to-stand desks were utilized throughout the office to promote movement and flexibility. 

Branding Elements

Meyer designed Builders, Incorporated’s headquarters to showcase the firm’s construction expertise. One standout feature is a branding wall covering featuring a blue-print design concept to reflect the company’s day-to-day operations as a leading residential and commercial construction firm. 

Standout Features

The headquarters boasts a number of distinctive features, including 12-foot-high clear-story glass-front offices and a 25-foot-high wood-paneled ceiling that beautifully contrasts the exposed ductwork throughout the space. Various shades of natural wood finishes adorn conference rooms, the full-service kitchen, and open-office area juxtaposing dark metal finishes and accent colors. The indoor-outdoor café area connected to the deck provides employees and clients with the opportunity to benefit from the headquarters’ location and gathering spaces. Additionally, a stone wall made of repurposed stone from an old farmhouse that once occupied the site leads employees and clients to the entryway of the new headquarters.

Products 

Overall Project Results

There were no significant challenges related to change management due to the unique structure of this project. Since Builders, Incorporated acted as both Meyer’s design client and the project construction manager, their team played a key role in the development, execution, and final design of their new headquarters, fostering a strong sense of ownership and pride in the new workspace.

Contributors:

In addition to the project team at Meyer, there were a number of partners who helped bring Builders, Incorporated’s new built-to-suit headquarters to life. This included MEP engineer Kupper, structural engineer Bala Consulting Engineers, civil engineer D.L. Howell, and Builders, Incorporated as the construction manager.  

Design Team  

Photography

Barry Halkin of Halkin Mason Photography