Project Details
This project was selected as a Merit winner in ARCHITECT's 2024 Architecture & Interiors Awards, Interiors: Large Office Interior category.
“This was more about finding some new vocabularies. It’s definitely brave in terms of the way it's kind of stepping out from maybe some safer tropes.” –Juror John Frane
The new home for Huge in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard serves as a digitally-enhanced growth accelerator, offering a flexible, future-oriented platform for their leading talent to realize bold and innovative ideas.
Occupying the top two floors of the Dock 72 building on Brooklyn’s waterfront, Huge designed their new global headquarters as an experience center that authentically represents their brand. The space supports an agile platform with both global reach and local presence.
To create a cultural magnet, Huge instilled agility and adaptability into the design from the start. The in-house facility group, Huge Habitats, collaborated closely with the architect to develop a future-proof strategy that adapts to the evolving needs of incoming talent. This approach moves away from traditional, static workstations, instead offering fully reconfigurable spaces tailored to each team’s specific projects and collaborations.
Huge envisioned this centralized hub as a futuristic clubhouse with matching amenities. A Dan Flavin-inspired recessed fixture in the shape of the Huge ‘H’ logo greets team members and guests on the 15th floor. The reception area features an espresso bar adjacent to a flexible multipurpose area for events and gatherings. A viewing room transitions from general screening to immersive experiences with advanced lighting and dimming systems, and an interactive virtual-reality zone allows clients to experience projects in real-time. A blackbox theater hosts viewings, while nearby editing suites provide the tools for creating future content. The floor also includes a beer garden and bistro, with the latter offering an exterior terrace with stunning views of New York City.
The 14th floor offers a variety of workstyle options, including areas for long-term guest business units like visiting partner companies. It features modern telepresence rooms, dedicated storage, and a digital experience exhibition. The floor also boasts multiple wellness attributes, including a yoga room, hydration station, mother’s room, and a ‘pet and play’ zone for employees to bring their pets.
Despite the extensive programming, the aesthetic remains elegantly restrained, allowing the expansive city views to take center stage. Circular tables throughout the office encourage inclusive meeting styles, with bespoke furnishings and lighting elements highlighting brand moments. Reflecting their commitment to sustainability, the FF&E program repurposed 575 items, accounting for more than half of the total scope. The project achieved Fitwel 2 Stars and LEED Silver certification.
The new Huge global headquarters is more than a workplace; it is a futuristic clubhouse, a digital platform, and a growth accelerator, fostering long-term brand loyalty for both talent and clients.
Project: Huge at Dock 72
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Client/Owner: Huge
Architect:
Christopher Barbaro, AIA, Senior Associate, Gensler
Stefanie Shunk, FIIDA, NCIDQ, Principal, Gensler
Steven Zaweski, AIA, Senior Associate, Gensler
Leonardo Caion-Demaestri, NCIDQ, WELL AP, Senior Associate, Gensler
Construction Start Date: 10/11/21
Construction End Date: 5/31/2023
Interior Designer: Gensler
Mechanical Engineer: Robert Derector Associates
General Contractor: ICON Interiors
Lighting Designer: One Lux Studio
Any other consultants, with their roles: VVA Project & Cost Managers, Project Management; Spectra, AV
Size in Square Feet: 50,000 SF
Cost: Withheld
