University life is an enriching community of new and expanding ideologies, experiences, and opportunities for students. For those studying agriculture in the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, a focus on hands-on experiences and research is an important aspect of their education.
So when Texas A&M AgriLife Research began looking into designing their new urban agriculture center in Dallas, they wanted the 58,000 sq. ft. campus to be the program’s showpiece, capable of rivaling the labs and offices of the top private crop-science research facilities, as well as provide students and staff with the best environment to aid their work.
To break out of the norm, Texas A&M chose to create the Dallas Center as a collaborative space, which would allow for an exchange of ideas between individuals and invite the Texas landscape—the focus of their research—into the building’s interior.
A nod to nature was key, both in design and layout. Views of the terrain and natural light permeate the interior via a curved curtain wall of glass, which was built along the sun’s path in the sky. Calming blues, grays, and luscious greens mix with natural wood finishes to create a biophilic pallet throughout. An array of furniture was arranged throughout the floor plan to allow for organic interactions between users and support a myriad of work styles.
To take advantage of the natural light, furniture was positioned near the glass curtain wall and throughout the open-office floorplan allowing for quiet solo work or small group gatherings. Users can choose from lounge chairs and coffee tables in the main work area, soft-seating ottomans and poufs that can be arranged and rearranged as needed throughout, and bar-height natural wood tables in the multi-purpose breakroom.
For staff without closed-door offices, workstations are arranged back-to-back and separated by privacy dividers, allowing colleagues to work in close proximity and easily collaborate. Those with closed-door offices are encouraged to use the center as an ecosystem for their work and are often found choosing to work in the open space alongside other staff and students. Being able to easily communicate with their professors and other researchers has proven invaluable to the student population within the research center, and the open layout has lead to collaborations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
The staff agrees that by creating a more open, bright, and calming setting with collaborative furniture solutions, teams have been able to push their work beyond what was previously done. “We are proud of the magnificent buildings and gardens we have constructed,” said David Lunt, Ph.D., Associate Director for AgriLife Research and Interim Director of the Dallas Center. “But it is our people who are our greatest asset as we endeavor to bring world-class, cutting-edge science to bear on the challenges facing urban, suburban and rural communities.”
Project Details
Headquarters:
Dallas, TX
60,000 sq. ft.
100 Employees
Partnerships:
Wilson Office Interiors
A&D Firm
Flad Architects
Product Solutions
Seating:
Acuity®, Mimeo®, Vicinity™
Workspaces:
Approach™, Stride®
Tables:
Altitude®, Aware®, Belong®, Harvest™
Storage:
Align™, Involve®, Essentials™