Friedman Offices – New York City

From our very first meeting, the client expressed a strong desire to transform its office into a comfortable environment centered on collaboration, increased productivity and flexibility. As a result, the team worked hand-in-hand with Friedman to create a new human-centered workplace that offers efficiencies, experiences and innovations that enhance employee well-being, brand expression and corporate culture. Putting the personal and professional well-being of its employees at the forefront during the design process was paramount to the design. The strong vision the firm held for its new space included employee-centric features more in line with tech companies than accounting firms, featuring open areas, bright-colors, breakout rooms and state-of-the-art technologies. MKDA delivered a balanced program for the forward-thinking accounting firm, with 75 glass front perimeter and interior offices for partners and senior accountants, benching and various experiential collaborative spaces that blur the line between home and work. The environment’s backbone is a “living” corridor of collaborative spaces that runs through the center core and includes a kitchen, library, den, workroom, living room and community hub with a 1,800 square-foot cafe. The cafe was fitted with hospitality-level high top tables and bistro banquettes; the community hub with bleachers and an oversized monitor for events. These elements appeal to the natural human desire to engage and connect with one another, which constructs a welcoming and professional atmosphere that is simultaneously energizing and fun. To create a neutral backdrop throughout the work environment, MKDA retained unfinished industrial elements such as concrete floors, exposed ceilings, concrete block walls and exposed ductwork. The post modern industrial chic decor features bold colors and an eclectic blend of details, including mosaic ceramic tiles, custom ivy light fixtures, vivid wall graphics and geometric- patterned flooring. In reception, for example, a sculptured teal reception desk, electric red chairs and a bright blue signage pop against the background.