The Morris + King Company, a leading New York-based communication firm, redesigned their office space, and resigned the way their employees work, create, and collaborate.
Q: What was the inspiration behind the redesign and renovation?
A: The Morris + King Company’s approach was conceived of, spearheaded and executed by MKC's partner and principal, Judith R. King, who on a trip to Kyoto, Japan, was inspired by the exquisite purity, simplicity and streamlined design of various temples and public spaces that she visited. She envisioned an utterly modern, highly stylized office environment filled that resembles a “glowing ice cube with hidden surprises.” Ms. King wanted to create an open and fluid workspace – an exact square – the allows the eye to move and wander. Integral to the design is the utilization of perfectly proportioned geometric shapes as well as clean and minimalist lines. The fresh and vivid color palette—“Hockney-blue” (reminiscent of David Hockney’s pool paintings), dazzling yellow, bright white and various shades of gray—juxtaposes natural elements with functionality and represent hope, optimism and limitless possibility.
Q: How did the project proceed?
A: Working in close collaboration with leading avant-garde designer David Alhadeff, the decision was made to expand MKC’s office space from 2,900 to 7,500 square feet. The process started with small board studies and the creation of voluminous look books filled with hundreds of ideas concerning every aspect of the renovation. Ms. King led shopping expeditions to leading design retailers and galleries such as ABC Carpet & Home, Space 107 and Montaperto. The work took three months to complete and cost approximately $250,000.
Q: How have the “Blue Ice-cubicles” transformed the traditional office cube?
A: Until now, most office cubicles have been soulless work environments filled with employees disconnected from the underlying values and larger vision of a company. Ms. King’s innovative and groundbreaking concept, first-of-their-kind glowing “Blue Ice-cubicles” from Panelite, redefine this normally static space with brilliant blue resin that cosset and protect employees. From the outside, the secure and translucent planes of blue allow only glimpses of shadow and movement, providing workers with privacy, confidentiality and the ability to focus on their tasks. Every “Blue Ice-cubicle” contains a stacked cube lamp with dimmer from Lighting New York that permits employees to create their own atmosphere, as well as desks with glass tabletops that reflect the light.
Q. How does the artwork in the office complement the surroundings?
A: Accentuating and underscoring the “glowing ice cube with hidden surprises” theme with a wide range of artwork—including paintings, sculptures and photographs—was a key element of the renovation process. Ms. King worked closely with acclaimed Brazilian artist Arthur Rodrigues to create 11 custom-designed abstract paintings whose bold colors and sharply defined geometric shapes seem to be in a constant state of movement and ever-changing emotion. The artwork is showcased in executive offices and along the walls of the firm’s 40-foot “gallery,” which also contains recessed storage closets with Philippe Starck hardware. Other thematic art and photography chosen for the office were produced by Mel Bochner, Shirley Jaffe, Allan Forsyth, Alex Arcadia, Steve Prezant, Josh Harris, the Enger Brothers, Wendy Bednarz, and Peter Strongwater.
Q: Describe some of the noteworthy furniture and accessories.
A: Among the most spectacular pieces is a Lucite Plexiglas presentation table with a lift-up top, which was designed by Ms. King and fabricated by Plexi-Craft. This irreplaceable table serves as the centerpiece of the “Rumpus Room.” Suspended above the “Rumpus Room” is a teardrop-blue Murano glass chandelier from ABC Carpet & Home, and a custom-made mirror with gray glass hangs in the “Traditional Thinking Space.” The reception area features a custom-ordered, powdered coated metal and wood “white chocolate” reception desk with pull-out flat drawers from Modern Living Supplies and a glowing “Tavola Luce Side Table Light Cube” from TopdeQ that projects light from every angle. Other notable pieces include a Crespi-style heavy Lucite block “Italian Table Lamp” from Gallery 33, an original Florence Knoll “Credenza” from George Gilpin and a “Tip Cube Sculpture” from Chia’sso, which reflects ambient light and sits on an office console in Ms. King’s office.
Q: Why are there two adjoining conference rooms?
A: One of the most distinguishing features of MKC’s office reinvention is the agency’s “agora,” or center space. In ancient Greece, the agora was an open place of assembly—a busy marketplace that served as the center of Athens’ political and intellectual life.
Two separate and distinctive conference rooms now exist -- the Traditional Thinking space and the Rumpus Room. Set inside a perfect square and separated by a sliding glass door, the two airy rooms provide employees at every level with places to meet, collaborate and brainstorm with each other and clients. Placed around the presentation table in the Rumpus Room is an eclectic collection of blue chairs, including cast aluminum prototypes of 1970s Air France lounge chairs, velvet seats from the former cruise liner “Stella Solaris” and a pair of rocking chairs from Bensen, a Canadian furniture manufacturer. Built-in state-of-the-art plasma and high-definition televisions, a fully stocked bar and the Nintendo Wii video game system turns this space into a party room at a moment’s notice. Appreciating her employees hectic schedules and long hours, King said “What we really tried to do is create a stimulating office environment infused with energy and creativity.”