Project: Headspace Santa Monica Campus
Architecture: Montalba Architects
Structural Engineer: John Labib, Associates
Landscape Architect: Pamela Burton and Co.
Contractor: Shawmut Design
Location: Santa Monica, California, United States
Area: 20000 ft2
Year: 2019
Photo Credits: Kevin Scott Photography
“When we started to build the offices, we asked ourselves: ‘What does a physical representation of the brand start to look like, and if you walked in here, into a Headspace world, what would that feel like?’ We wanted it so that even if you couldn’t intellectually understand what we do, even if you’ve never experienced it, the physicality of our space could potentially explain it to you.” David Montalba, FAIA, Founding Principal Montalba Architects.
Set within an existing industrial site, this 20,000 sf office expansion creates a modern, flexible workspace in response to Headspace’s growing office and cultural needs. The challenge was to find unique ways to bring Headspace’s new office to life by seamlessly juxtaposing group and individual spaces. To honor the core values of the company, small spaces were strategically placed throughout the space, where employees could find a moment of personal solace that wouldn’t deter from the surrounding communal environment.
The main design gesture turns the previous unused exterior patio into a large, outdoor garden, which gets pulled through the workspace into the central courtyard on the second floor. The open-air enclosure filters light and greenery into previously dark, isolated spaces and offers a moment of reprieve from the industrious energy throughout.
Creating a connection to the outdoors was a critical design consideration for the campus experience and meditation environment of the Headspace culture. This was accomplished through a few design moves: exterior courtyard, bi-fold door and garage door to the courtyard, and the lightwell courtyard on the second floor.
The featured entry stair functions as a workspace that transitions into a large stadium seating for company-wide events, meditation, presentations, all hands meetings, or flexible working space. A media screen rolls down in front of the large bi-fold door and a large suspended curtain folds around to control light and sound. True to Headspace’s brand philosophy, free standing meditation pods and quiet meditation areas are available throughout the space to allow employees additional moments of solitude.
The material palette for most of the space was strategically chosen to be a sophisticated, neutral palette in order to allow for the Headspace AV graphics, furniture, and murals to bring brighter colors to the space.
