498 7th Avenue Office

Our offices reflect who we are and how we work. Our new space, occupied in spring 2022, reflects our adaptation to hybrid work schedules, and was conceived as a platform for the next decade of our evolution as a firm. A return to office—on a flexible schedule was a priority for the firm, as we see it as an essential to maintain a successful practice model. The main drivers of our space: collaboration, transparency, flexibility, and technological adaptation are common to many firms but have been profoundly integrated with each other in a way that illustrates our firm model.

Desk based computers and our large server room are gone, replaced with powerful mobile laptops that work everywhere with a data or internet connection. We moved to the cloud and reduced our server capacity and function. We strengthened the wireless network in the office so that you can work or meet anywhere in the space. A low profile raised floor allows us to run power and data conduit where needed, and easily change the configuration of desks and technology needs in the future. Connections to the desks are through a plug and play kit of parts. A special app lets us locate the power elements beneath the floor for easy modifications.

Dattner Architects 498 7th Ave North Studio 3

Dattner Architects 498 7th Ave North Studio

The Workstations

To accommodate growth, and flexibility, we opted for a furniture-based solution instead of fixed bays, partitions, or built-in millwork. Each person has a sit/stand desk to maximize comfort. Beside the desk, personal space includes a lockable pedestal and a cubby for private belongings. Shared layout and huddle space tables are always a few feet away for additional collaborative spaces if needed. Our old office was laid out by the studio. The new one is organized around project teams with the studios mixed up to better share experiences across typologies. Relocating a team or sharing a desk, can be done in a matter of minutes by anyone, without involving our IT department. Locations and reservations for free “hot desks” are made on an app.

The proportion of shared spaces to individual workstations is much higher in our new office. The collective spaces come in a variety of new sizes: single user booths for private calls and focused work, small conference rooms, and a large conference room that can be subdivided for meetings and events. Huddle spaces are integrated into the open areas. There are areas for “standing meetings”, and soft seating for breathers. All these spaces are visually connected to the open workspace and feel like spatial and functional extensions of it.

Dattner Architects 498 7th Ave South Studio

Dattner Architects 498 7th Ave Phone Booth

Dattner Architects 498 7th Ave Conference Room

Dattner Architects 498 7th Ave Forum Pin Up

Dattner Architects 498 7th Ave, Partner Office

Offices & The Forum

In the literal and figurative sense, transparency is important to us. Besides the booths and the HR office, there is a deliberate lack of private spaces. Partners all share office spaces with a common table between them. The offices are fully visible from the main studio spaces.

At the center of the plan is the Forum multi-use space that will be used for a variety of shared uses, from lunch, to lectures, pin ups, and presentations. It’s a real crossroads located on the major circulation axis, open on four sides with visual connection to the studio, model shop and other spaces.