Generate Capital NYC
Project Stats
- Location
New York, New York
- Size
32,000 SF
- Market
- Expertise
Haven for growth
When Generate Capital outgrew its New York office, the sustainable infrastructure investment and operating company asked Corgan to design its new home on the corner of 40th Street and 5th Avenue in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The 32,000 square-foot project occupies the 26th and 27th floors of the building, overlooking Bryant Park and the New York Public Library. Generate’s primary goal was to create a space for employees to gather and host guests. The design team took advantage of the stepped glass façade and breathtaking views to create a light-filled reception and all-hands space that became the heart of the project and the entry point to this bustling hybrid workplace.
Entrance at the epicenter
Because hosting clients is a crucial aspect of Generate’s work, a generous hospitality point on the 26th floor was designed to support events, lectures, and other large gatherings. The space was angled in response to the façade, creating an open connection to the adjacent all-hands space. The all-hands space, directly behind the open stairway, was designed to be flexible for work and after-hours events — it can be arranged as a cafe, presentation space, or for socializing.
Overlooking Bryant Park, the boardroom is located just off of this entry area, making an easy access point from the reception desk while remaining relatively secluded for important meetings. In a final touch for the activated entry, the stairs were refinished and framed by hanging globe lights, sweeping between the reception desk and amenities on the 26th floor and the workspaces on the floor above.
Cultivating a connected culture
On the 27th floor, a plush seating area frames the stair, creating a buffer between employee workspaces and amenities and allowing for a gradual transition as employees moves between the two floors of the office. The open office design is also responsive to the stepped floorplate. Using an open office and core approach, the design team took advantage of the unique floor plate and embraced the stepping gesture of the façade as it is translated to the open workstation layout and repeated in the core rooms.
In response to the needs of this hybrid office with few assigned desks, the design team created flexible offices and neutral yet inviting workstations, all arranged to maximize natural light and views. A variety of huddle rooms, focus rooms, and conference rooms give employees plentiful options for meeting with clients or collaborating with remote coworkers.
Sprouting the seeds of sustainable industry
Throughout the space, Corgan evoked the concept of an urban greenhouse — which directly parallels the client’s work in the sustainable industry and the office’s proximity to the natural haven of Bryant Park. Black metal accents catch the eye against light wood finishes, lush greenery, and the exposed ceiling. Moss walls, a unifying factor across all Generate offices, were incorporated to emphasize the concept and tie in with brand identity.
