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Designing Culture:
How Analytical Graphics, Inc. Captivated Employees
A floor plan created around planetary particles. That was the idea. Stars, elliptical patterns and constellations integrated into a design that captures the essence of their world. What began as a few cool, simple sketches quickly developed into an outward display of their company culture and their unique industry. One year later, Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) experienced this living reality as their new corporate headquarters in Exton, PA designed by Meyer Associates, Inc. AGI develops software that analyzes data collected from military equipment on land, sea, air and space. Their primary asset, however, is their employees. Their previous space was inefficient and became too crowded to accommodate employees' spatial needs. It lacked the character and uniqueness of their industry. They were growing fast and they needed "out" yesterday. AGI knows that a happy employee equals a productive employee and an employee's happiness is a product of the company atmosphere. AGI defines their corporate culture as fun, friendly, innovative, collaborative and productive. Meyer Associates, Inc. focussed on creating a design that was functional, efficient and cool, but most importantly, developing a design that supports and further establishes AGI's company culture. After Meyer Associates, Inc. developed test fits for 6 buildings, Mike Milone and Sal Ambrosio (Tactix), and Tony Noce and Amanda Matthews (The Rubenstein Company) assisted AGI in selecting Valley Creek Corporate Center. This complex has 3 available buildings for AGI to continue their growth and it is centrally located to employees. Meyer Associates, Inc. created one floor plan that is adaptable to all 3 buildings for AGI's future expansions. AGI requested a space that is: · Technologically
cool, yet sophisticated enough for meetings with government officials
Playful elements such as the "airplane wing" lighted wall feature that extends out to greet visitors in the reception area, and the globe-shaped lights above the reception desk, resembling space helmets, set a tone of sophisticated coolness about the space. Large circular "Virtual Watercoolers" are strategically placed throughout the space to playfully delineate departments, but also accommodate creative, spur of the moment brainstorming sessions, which reinforces their collaborative environment. Each Virtual Watercooler features a large whiteboard that doubles as projection screen, a flat screen TV with teleconferencing capabilities to their Chicago, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Madrid, Spain offices, and comfortable seating to accommodate these impromptu meetings. To make the transition smooth for those moving from offices to workstations, Meyer Associates, Inc. allowed the employees to "test drive" their new workstations before they were installed into the new space. The 2 types of workstations (Knoll Dividends and Knoll Currents) were selected at varying heights to provide different levels of privacy, yet allow an open-office environment. Some of the workstations also needed to be quite roomy to simulate something as close as possible to an office atmosphere for those who were moving from an office into a cubicle.
The Demo room features 9 monitors in various sizes that are all linked to a central command unit, which demonstrates the operation of their software and satellites. This room was specifically created for clients and potential clients to simulate AGI's software in action. The Cafeteria, which seats 250 employees, features an 8 ft. ceiling mounted, motorized projection screen that can be easily revealed for large company meetings and concealed when not in use. A fireplace was also implemented to be used as focal point during company meetings and to create a cozy ambiance. Other employee amenities include: a full laundry facility, an open library area and a playroom for children featuring a large ceiling-to-floor whiteboard for drawing. By taking a holistic approach in designing AGI's new headquarters, both Meyer and AGI considered the overall corporate culture and primarily focused on supporting that culture through designing to meet employees' needs. Meyer created a space that is functional, technologically cool, and has the perfect balance between private and collaborative spaces. By making their employees happy and comfortable, AGI makes their business more profitable and retains employees longer. AGI's turnover rate
is 3% per year as compared to the industry average turnover rate per
year, which is 20.5%. According to a recent article in the Philadelphia
Inquirer, if AGI lost 37 more of its employees per year, it would cost
them at least $1.6 million to replace them.
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One
of the more sophisticated elements of the space includes the Large Conference
Room, which features teleconferencing capabilities, theater-style seating
and 22 x 11 ft. projection screen for large company-wide meetings. 
