Cellular Operations wanted foremost to create an iconic building to put the small company on the map. Another major goal, however, was recruiting and retaining valuable young staff in a low-unemployment area, so key factors for the facility's design were to provide optimum working conditions with ideal temperature and light, increase the social interaction of staff between departments, allow for rapid future expansion, and incorporate green design principles. The challenge, in the client's words was to "inject interest and humor—surprise and delight—into the workplace."

The architect, Richard Hywel Evans Architecture and Design, and the client investigated design proposals and jointly developed a program that would support a unique, new working model. The resulting facility boasts a double-curved, three-story organic glass wall on the north and fiber-optic insulated glazing with picture windows on the south. "Light is one of the defining themes of this space," the jury commented. "Here you're almost working outside."

Among its many "surprise and delight" items is a relaxation/break-out space for 450 operators, where refreshments are dispensed by specially designed roving electronic trolleys. The jury seemed captivated by the spirit. "This was a building designed to be worked in, not just to be looked at," they said. "We had a sense that care and thought went into the design from the outset."

The project was completed and occupied in 57 weeks. As a result of the new building:
• Staff turnover decreased by 50 percent (from above the 5 percent national average to 2.7 percent)
• The building was listed in national media as "the happiest workplace in the country" and included in the "50 Best Buildings in the Country" feature in a national daily newspaper
• The building image is used by the government to promote progressive working environments.

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.