Hendrick Continues Its HQ Design of OneDigital Into a Cultural Hub for Employees and the Clients They Serve
Hendrick has completed the second phase of its new home for tech company OneDigital, a provider of insurance, financial services, and human resources. This phase extends the design and branding strategy to floors 11 and 10 of the Atlanta headquarters, reinforcing OneDigital’s award-winning workplace experience and prioritizing social engagement.
Over the last nearly quarter of a century, OneDigital has positioned itself as a steward of business growth and people potential. The opportunity emerged to create a headquarters that supports not only corporate teams but also regional employees on floor 10, reflecting the strength and scale of the organization today.
Phase one of Hendrick’s vision focused on providing a variety of workspaces and stations, along with flexible meeting areas on floor 17. Seating and tables that could be easily reconfigured, partitions that expand and contract rooms, and thoughtfully integrated plug-and-play technology options were incorporated throughout. This approach optimized the floor’s infrastructure, allowing technology to be used seamlessly across any configuration.
The grand jewel of the second phase is the 11th floor work café zone, which serves as a nucleus for all three floors OneDigital occupies. “Not only does it give employees the ability to interface with team members they do not usually see, but they also really wanted their clients to feel connected to the organization,” explains Stephen Wells, Hendrick principal and project lead. “The environment had to support both internal and external interactions with very intentional collision points,” adds Andrew Pletcher, Hendrick senior director.
The café design accommodates everything from private work to larger events. A staircase extends the experience down into the regional division on floor 10, which also includes dedicated space for client entertainment. Both levels benefit from this connection, allowing activity to ebb and flow between floors as needed.
The sense of arrival begins even before visitors enter the building. The site was selected in part for its signage rights, providing significant visibility adjacent to the iconic Battery area and Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.
Visitors are drawn in immediately as the elevator doors open to floor 11. “They really like their ‘wow’ moments,” explains Andrew Pletcher. Stepping into reception, visitors are greeted by one right away: a circular digital screen that wraps around a hidden column. Sweeping, dynamic architectural curves guide them toward the beverage bar, complete with beer taps, at the entrance to the work café.
With a drink of choice in hand, visitors can settle into the lounge, where they remain separate yet still connected to the activity around them. Sightlines extend to the IT genius bar, training room, and even the snack wall, visible through a triangular window that symbolizes the OneDigital logo. With so much activity in one area, acoustics were a critical consideration. Each café light fixture is surrounded by an acoustic panel, and acoustic plaster was installed above the reception area to help manage sound.
The logo’s signature gradient also inspired many of the color accents throughout the branded touchpoints. One standout example is the photo wall next to the genius bar. The images are static rather than digital and feature employees’ social activities and philanthropic efforts. “It’s like a beacon that draws you in and leads you toward the back, into the open office area. You want to see what it’s all about,” Wells says.
Office “neighborhoods” were created not only to establish departmental hubs, but also to help break up sound transfer and improve acoustics. This approach gives teams a sense of belonging, supported by autonomy over individual workspaces, including control of lighting through desk lamps. The entire space is dimmable and benefits from extensive access to natural light.
Hendrick also maintained approximately 15 percent of the existing ancillary furniture due to its classic nature. “The team did a great job of figuring out how to utilize these existing pieces for the new design in a way that looks very intentional,” Wells says.
Digital screens accentuate the architecture throughout the space, conforming to it rather than remaining flat. This is one of several ways the design illustrates how OneDigital helps move clients and their businesses forward. A timeline wall featuring static imagery tells the company’s story from its founding to today.
“Do your best work so you can live your best life” is a core philosophy of OneDigital. Hendrick’s design for the new headquarters provides employees and clients alike with the tools to support that mission.
To learn more about Hendrick and explore other notable projects by the firm, visit www.hendrickinc.com
