Anaplan believes our world is a better place when we connect people with data to enhance decision-making in the fast-moving 21st century. Founder Michael Gould set-out to solve the problems of conventional planning tools by creating an online platform for enterprise businesses to seamlessly exchange information across departments spread across the globe.
Having outgrown an office that compartmentalized everyone in a cramped, low-lit environment, Anaplan’s new CEO wanted to transition the startup into an enterprise, with their new headquarters as a symbol for the new age of Anaplan.
The designers charge was to establish a design language for nearly 20 global offices and create unlimited ways for teams to connect with eachother and the firm’s mission: driving a new age of connected-planning.
An existing building with 55,000 SF of architectural synergy gave the designers the opportunity to connect three floors – visually and physically – through a dramatic centrally-located open staircase. Employees constantly take to the stairs or congregate around communal hubs nearby, facilitating a sense of connection.
Elongated, dropped 10-foot-high-ceilings connect one end of the floor to the other as a wayfinding device and visual connection for teams across the floor.
State-of-the-art-AV systems were implemented, digital whiteboards allow seamless sharing of files and video-conference within the office, between offices, and with customers around the globe.
The designers highlighted the spirit of the brand: one platform, unlimited possibilities. The angle of the logo “A” recurs in wood backdrops, steel framing, ceiling planes, accent walls, seating booths, even the stairs themselves. The theme of Anaplan’s patented Hyperblock technology is seen on abstracted mesh accent glass features throughout.
And while there are 365 workstations in the building, everyone finds themselves at the neighborhood “Block” café or the highly coveted roofdeck – finding limitless ways to host their customers and connect with another.
Photography: Emily Hagopian
Anaplan San Francisco
Category
Work - Medium
Description
Location: 50 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Design Team: FENNIE+MEHL Architects