their expectation, and keeping architecture relevant. We are not hired to repeat an aesthetic. They know it will be their building. It will also be beautiful and high performing.” Some of the success and longevity of the firm also come from astute business awareness — knowing how and when to adjust to market shifts and to the inevitable market downturns that are inevitable. Wallace says, “There is something fundamental in making tough choices.” McDonough Jan says, “We are nimble — we have adapted to marketplaces and hard times. In 2008, we had to downsize the firm and co-sign on a loan. Partners took pay cuts. That is what adaptability is. We are in this together.” Robert Pinon, the vice president of the commercial sector, summarized, “We make data-driven decisions to stay abreast of markets and balancing staff. Our decisions are built on data that is available to us; leaning into past experience.” In 2020, the lease of their office space at the IBM Building on South Temple expired. The principals were determined to find a new space where they could explore their desire to create an environment. Pinon says, “We wanted to be in, and that was inspirational for our clients. It was a series of lucky circumstances that brought us to the Ford Building. This was the ninth place we had checked out.” They looked into it, and the space had just become available. “Everything lined up so perfectly.” New Office Not surprisingly, when MHTN took on the design of its own headquarters in 2020, they respectfully embraced the past by relocating to the 1923 Ford Motor Building designed by the well-known architect Albert Kahn. Then, they built into their schemes the most forward-thinking design concepts. In the midst of the COVID pandemic, the programming and design team focused on integrating what was then the new(ish) paradigm of remote work into what they knew about collaborative workspaces and what they discovered about healthy environments. Their initial visioning sessions focused on “What is the future of work?” and “How can we design a space that promotes even more collaboration when we are on hybrid schedules?” and “How are we going to make this a collaboration hub?” They discovered that despite the efficiencies found in remote work, their people value a balance of collaboration, professional resources and focus while inside the office. The design, therefore, pivoted on providing a variety of spaces for employees to work and collaborate, flexible furniture options, incorporation of biophilia and a focus on overall employee well-being. 24 REFLEXION
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