Rockefeller Group

When the Rockefeller Group moved its headquarters into the newly revitalized 1271 Avenue of the Americas, the mid-century masterpiece, Time & Life Building, it presented an opportunity to redefine the company’s corporate culture. The 24^th floor was gut-renovated and reprogrammed with innovative design concepts, allowing employees to achieve a more productive and satisfying workday. The floorplan now encourages employees to experience new ways of working by offering a choice of different locations to work within the office. Many communal areas boast distinct visual and tactile aesthetics, along with signature music, and even site-specific scents.

The elevator opens onto an airy reception area centered by a desk and view of the next-door neighboring complex. Glazed corridors are fluid and bring openness and light to the communal spaces. Curves that bookend the corridors are inspired by the sidewalk’s wavy pattern that corresponds to the building’s terrazzo landmarked lobby, evocative of the beloved Copacabana serpentine in Rio de Janeiro. A film of blueprints for the original Rockefeller Center covers sections of glass. This installation offers privacy for the transparent boardroom and reminds passersby of the company’s long-standing heritage and relevance to the growth of New York City.

The office has been democratized, with premium work areas allocated in groupings of “super desks” that line light-filled windows on both sides of the building. These areas are designed to host teams and connect managers directly to employees. Additionally, the number of private offices has been reduced in the spirit of creating a more egalitarian experience. Raw meets refined in communal spaces such as in “The Commons,” the company’s town hall, which has a darker palette, warm woods and metals. Counter seating is available along the windows and a selection of comfortable seating arrangements are available for relaxing with a coffee or lunch or working solo or in a group. A custom overhead light fixtures recalls the original library in the Time & Life Building.