Interior Design of New MWV Headquarters Wraps Up
March 8, 2010
Commonwealth Architects is proud to have been associated with the design and construction of the new world headquarters for MeadWestvaco, the global packaging company that has made Richmond, Va., its home. In association with Perkins + Will of Washington, DC, the two firms teamed up to help realize an interior design that reflects the company's vision and makes a fitting inside to "the package" that is MWV Headquarters.
"The building is our package. It represents us and who we are," said Linda Schreiner, MeadWestvaco's senior vice president for human resources, communications and foundation, in a recent article in The Richmond Times-Dispatch to describe the new 11- story 300,000 square foot building overlooking the James River. "We are a global company and we want this [headquarters] to be a place where the world comes and deals with MeadWestvaco, but also gets to know Richmond," she said.
The interior's team designed a space that facilitates collaboration and opportunities for MWV employees to work together creatively. The design encourages communication through an open office environment and by incorporating key elements of huddle rooms and team rooms on every floor. There is also an "Idea Alley" on each floor, a space where project teams can come together to brainstorm. Other areas designed to meet MWV's needs include a state-of-the-art conference center and a customer experience room on the lobby level, an executive area and board room on the ninth floor and a food service and fitness facility.
Glass front offices and conference rooms bring natural light through the open space and expand the views to the cityscape and James River. Most enclosed offices are located away from the building perimeter, so that the window wall is open to associates.
"We worked closely with MWV to achieve an interior design for the new corporate headquarters that reflects their vision and corporate culture. The concept was to create an open work environment that encourages interactive work dynamics and stimulates creativity among employees," said Dominic Venuto, Commonwealth Architects' interior design principal.
Commonwealth Architects also worked with MeadWestvaco to plan the interior of their temporary facility in western Henrico County and assisted in relocating employees of the Fortune 500 Company to the new location while awaiting the completion of their new building. The company moved its corporate headquarters from Stamford, Conn., to Henrico in early 2006.
