Reynolds American Inc. Headquarters

Project Details

Project Description

When Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) decided to renovate their corporate headquarters in Winston Salem, NC, they were seeking a transformation in how they work, collaborate and enhance employee well-being. A bedrock of the community which the RAI companies helped build, they wanted to honor a 140 year history of growth and progress, but also look ahead to the future and their integral role in transforming the tobacco industry.

The design team began by focusing on employee needs, understanding that attracting and retaining top talent was an important goal for the project. They opened up the workspaces, created clusters of seating areas instead of rows, which allowed for more flow of movement. The group name at the entrance and display shelves to exhibit artifacts connected to the work group provided a level of personalization for the occupants and helped to create more of a neighborhood feel. Drawing inspiration from the agricultural side of the business, the carpet through the middle of each floor is reminiscent of crop rows and gives a sense of place and direction throughout the space. Lots of texture was added to the space and much of it is created with materials that have historical significance to RAI; reclaimed wood from old buildings owned by RAI companies is used to create impact in the space, and old tobacco barrels were repurposed into new modern furniture in the meeting/collaboration spaces.

Designers used color to give each floor its unique personality and used the idea of the circle, harkening back to the now retired iconic smoke stacks outside, as a consistent design theme. More glass has been added throughout, creating transparency and access to natural light that didn’t exist before. The “urban loft” result is modern, engaging and rooted in the company’s impressive heritage.

To address well-being for employees, in addition to more natural light, there are walking desks, quiet rooms, sit/stand desks at every workspace and printers placed strategically in the corners of each floor to encourage movement throughout the day.

Feedback from occupants of the renovated spaces has been overwhelmingly positive, validating that the transformation has had a positive impact on the employee experience.