Design on a Dime: Creative Solutions Made Cents for the Judge Group
By Jeanne Lombardo, Marketing Specialist

Breathtaking, Empowering, Dynamic.

Welcome to The Judge Group's new Corporate Headquarters, where the views are spectacular, clients are abuzz, and business is thriving.

The Judge Group, Inc. provides permanent job placement, contract staffing and training solutions as well as vendor management solutions nationwide. They have placed thousands of applicants in information technology, health services, pharmaceutical, engineering and other related fields.

Over the years, their Bala Cynwyd space lost its ability to nourish the exciting business transformations the company was experiencing.

Simply put, it was time for a change in scenery.

First, The Judge Group had to address functionality, company image, and spatial requirements for their growing employee base. After defining their operational forecast, Tim Monahan from Julien J. Studley, Inc. assisted The Judge Group in selecting 300 Four Falls, a new seven-story office building in West Conshohocken, as the site for their new Corporate Headquarters.

Under the strong leadership of CEO Marty Judge and the internal project manager CIO Ken Krieger, The Judge Group defined these objectives:

l Create new image and culture to dazzle clients
l Achieve a stately presence on a cost-conscious budget
l Establish an empowering / inspiring space for employees

Creative Solutions

When a visitor enters the suite, the Rotunda emerges with the company moniker prominently displayed above, framing a magnificent panoramic view of the Schuylkill River that reflects through the glass doors. The compass rose inlay puts the finishing touch on the reception area, leaving visitors with an outstanding first impression of sophisticated elegance.

Meyer selected 12 x 12" tile to create the compass rose inlay in the reception floor. Using a water jet device, E.P. Guidi (the contractor) professionally cut the tile to fit the inlay pattern. Simply using cut tile as an alternative to slab stone conserved a considerable amount of fit-out dollars, yet still achieved the same high-quality design the client expected.

The J Café, located at the epicenter of daily activity, features a balcony for employee breaks and client entertainment. Meyer incorporated a solid door that conceals the area to prevent any noise from distracting employees in close proximity while client entertainment takes place.

Four vibrant art niches with specialty lighting were developed using existing base building columns. The Judge Group can display their own images and company mission statement along this corridor to generate excitement among employees and to utilize as a marketing tool when clients tour the office.

"Meyer has greatly exceeded our expectations," said Ken Krieger, Chief Information Officer. "The level of detail, preparation, creativity and the sheer number of people dedicated to our project made us feel as though we were the only client. The one-on-one attention we have received has been tremendous."

Results Reported by The Judge Group:

l"Meyer incorporated every element we asked for in the design process"
l Employees come in earlier and stay later
l Elegant, yet cost-effective design was achieved
l Employee retention increased
l An intimate community feeling was established
l A more functional layout was created
l Café / balcony is great for entertaining