Seadrill Headquarters
Project Stats
- Location
Houston, Texas
- Size
71,000 SF
- Role
Architect of Record
- Market
- Expertise
Anchored in innovation, designed for connection
A global leader in offshore drilling, Seadrill’s new headquarters in Houston marks an exciting new chapter for the company. The thoughtfully designed space reflects both community and innovation. The open floor plan increases collaboration, and interactive areas create unique ways for clients to experience the company’s off-site operations. With roughly thirty percent more area than its previous location, the new office gives the company room to grow while strengthening ties between its offshore and onshore communities.
Workplace interiors designed with a sense of place
The design concept draws inspiration from offshore experiences, incorporating elements of the fleet’s offshore rigs and ships and maritime architecture. The reception desk takes its shape from the bow of a vessel, paying homage to Seadrill’s fleet and creating a strong sense of identity upon arrival. Overhead, the lobby ceiling features a mirror-like application that evokes the ship’s moon pool — a specially designed opening that allows access to the water below — a subtle yet striking reference to offshore engineering that gives visitors a sense of the offshore environment.
The color scheme mirrors tones from the ocean, sky, and the orange and blue-colored fleet, blending deep blues and lighter, neutral colors with accents from Seadrill’s brand. This color story carries the office levels: the first floor is rooted in the ocean, with wave-inspired ceilings and a deep, water-toned palette. An employee-only area, the second level features sky-inspired themes with lighter colors; the boardroom includes an additional interpretation of a moon pool in the overhead lighting design. Exposed piping in a real time operations room is a reference to the rig railings, and rope-like accents in the employee community hub give a nod to life at sea.
Additionally, Polaris, the North Star — long relied upon by mariners for navigation — appears throughout the design concept, a fitting reference given that many of Seadrill’s ships are named after stars. Polaris reflects a clear sense of direction, supporting the overall vision of the space.
Immersive experiences that bring the offshore world to life
Guests and clients are welcomed into an immersive environment where they can experience Seadrill’s processes and technology firsthand. A state-of-the-art, on-rig simulator room, visible from the building lobby, supports both client demonstrations and employee training, reinforcing the company’s commitment to transparency and excellence.
The simulator room’s surfaces were intentionally darkened to keep the focus on the screens, while a below-floor barrier and double-glazed glass wall control the sound without sacrificing visual openness. A training room with garden views is located adjacent to the simulator room, supporting the natural flow between instruction and simulation.
Beyond the client-facing spaces, the office space includes more than 200 workstations, as well as private phone rooms. Further, the real time operations room (RTO) monitors live rig activity through an array of screens displaying rig locations and operational data, supported by workstations and a collaborative worktable.
Central to the new headquarters is a vibrant gathering hub — a space intentionally crafted to foster conversation, collaboration, and community. Functioning as the heart of the office, the hub encourages spontaneous interactions and strengthens connections among team members.
The result is a workplace that honors the company’s heritage through its interiors while creating an engaging environment where employees feel inspired and connected every day.
