Hendrick Transforms National Headquarters of Smith + Howard at Atlantic Station
To enhance the client experience and reinforce Smith + Howard's corporate belief in openness and that its clients are part of the company, the design incorporates inviting, hospitality-driven elements.
Hendrick Architecture and Design announced the completion of a transformative workplace project for Smith + Howard, a national accounting firm headquartered in Atlantic Station. The project features innovative space that supports the firm's growth and new ways of working while maintaining the company's core culture and values.
Having grown from a local to a national accounting firm, Smith + Howard needed a workplace that could support their expanding operations while maintaining a 25,000-sq.-ft. footprint within the same building as their previous office but six floors higher. The firm aimed to rethink its workplace strategy and how it used space, focusing on providing flexibility for employees and preparing for future growth.
"The client wanted to break the mold for how a traditional accounting firm is viewed," stated Stephen Wells, principal at Hendrick. "To achieve this, we really took a fresh approach to both the way they worked, as well as how the space feels."
A key shift in their programmatic needs was Smith + Howard's move to a 100% free-address system across all levels of the company, including the C-suite. Previously, all workspaces had been fully assigned. Hendrick was tasked with making this transition while also providing space for growth without increasing the overall square footage.
The team addressed the need for focused work by designing smaller private offices—now called "focus rooms"—with dimensions reduced from 10'x12' to 7'x5' and 6'x6'. This allowed for an increase in the number of focus rooms while maintaining efficiency. The concept was introduced to key stakeholders through showroom tours, where they could see the proposed furniture configurations and envision the transformation.
Hendrick's design aimed to break traditional accounting firm stereotypes, offering spaces for both individual work and collaboration. The open-office environment features a variety of workstations, including benching, L-shaped configurations, and 120-degree desks to provide choice and flexibility. Collaborative spaces include sofas paired with laptop tables to encourage teamwork and informal interactions. The goal was to foster a sense of choice in how employees work throughout the day.
To enhance the client experience and reinforce Smith + Howard's corporate belief in openness and that its clients are part of the company, the design incorporates inviting hospitality-driven elements. Off the reception area is a seating space with beverage service that connects visually to the work cafe, separated by a pierced screen. This invites clients to feel part of the company culture, fostering transparency and inclusivity. Strategic daylighting ensures that employees and guests benefit from wellness-focused design, with views that enhance the overall atmosphere.
Beyond the desire to enshrine the corporate culture of openness, Smith + Howard's brand is subtly and thoughtfully incorporated throughout the interior. The logo's iconic "+" symbol is integrated into the acoustical ceiling grid and the pierced screen, providing subtle nods to the brand. Bold graphics and accent walls display their new logo, while brand color accents distinguish different office neighborhoods.
The result of Hendrick's thoughtful work is a sophisticated yet approachable workspace that reinforces the firm's culture and commitment to both its employees and clients.
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