Sunnyvale, CA
2012
“Your team made this environment possible. When we chose MKThink, it was based on the stories you told about the spaces you design, and the team that told them. We wanted an architect that cared about how we worked and how we wanted to work, and one that guided us to think about the spaces in between the work – how we take a moment during the day to breathe, or how we eat our lunch, or how we let off steam. You clearly fit the bill. When we asked you to meet with the entire staff, your team did not hesitate, and that level of engagement meant we created a space where everyone was engaged and involved.
We started with a challenging budget and lofty goals. What we ended up with exceeded our expectations.”
Matthew Todd, Ph.D., CISM, CIPP, GSEC
CSO and Vice President
Financial Engines, Inc.
This two-floor interior tenant fit-out for over 200 employees in a LEED Gold multi-story building, began with a comprehensive discovery, analysis, and programming effort led by MKThink. With input from key stakeholders and staff through interviews, town hall-type meetings, and surveys, the project team developed guiding principles for the planning, layout, and look-and-feel of the company’s new corporate headquarters. Services included programming, space design, construction documentation and on-site observation, plus furniture selection and audio-visual systems coordination. Financial Engines headquarters consists of client-reception space, multi-purpose conference rooms, a library, cafeteria, game room, ‘zen’ rooms, and ubiquitous two-person meeting rooms called ‘phone booths’.
Notable Accomplishments / Project Features
• Project achieved certified LEED Gold Corporate Interior.
• Sustainable features include responsibly selected finishes, fixtures, and equipment, such as recycled flooring and countertops, Forest Stewardship Certified (FSC) wood products, low VOC paints, and water-use reducing plumbing fixtures.
• Five LEED credits for were earned “Innovative Design” features, including a public education program with interactive digital displays.
• The design of the space plan allows for unimpeded views to the outdoors from virtually every workstation and private office connecting personnel to the environment.
• Two-floor build-out includes a suspended, glass railing stairway to promote inter-floor communication and interaction.
