Hendrick designed the Atlanta-based corporate headquarters for Novelis, a leading producer of low-carbon, sustainable aluminum. With an emphasis on the culture of collaboration, the architects designed a variety of environments to provide flexibility and choice for employees.
“Novelis is focused on the circular economy, it is a big part of what they do. They also have great people and invest in that talent. We took a human-centric approach to their workplace and overlaid with the social responsibility that’s central to the organization,” said Jennifer Treter, managing principal at Hendrick.
Indeed, Novelis is also the world’s largest recycler of aluminum, and the Hendrick team wanted to showcase that concern for the planet throughout the office space. “It was important that we integrate the idea of sustainability as a reflection of who they are. Not only through branding and graphics, but through the architectural design as well,” noted Stephen Wells, principal at Hendrick.
Connection to nature is key in the workplace, from organic materials to the shapes and elements that evoke the environment. Atlanta is known as a “city in a forest” because of the trees that blanket much of the area, and that became the starting point for the project. “The idea of the tree canopy was really the foundation of our concept, and you can see it in the intricate ceiling elements that we created,” Wells said. “A canopy also provides a level of safety and protection, and that ties into the Novelis story.”
The material palette includes white oak, cork, and of course, aluminum. From a tree sculpture, to panels and accent details, the metal is found throughout with a subtle sheen rather than high polish. Paired with dark green and yellow hues, a warmth is evident which is often lacking in modern, urban settings. “We toyed with the idea of doing more with concrete, but we realized that we needed to balance it and bring in more wood to create the welcoming that they wanted the space to reflect. The industrial component became an underlying accent,” Wells added.
Hendrick’s holistic viewpoint includes the wellness of people, not just the condition of the planet, and the Novelis headquarters features a range of areas that promote different postures and mobility. Neighborhoods with collaboration spaces and sections for heads-down work offer options, while an interconnecting stair encourages interaction between staff members on each floor. “We were thinking beyond traditional health and wellbeing to create a flexible, agile environment. With the neighborhoods, all of the teams are able to touch down and work in ways that are best for them, which is critical to their success,” Treter noted.
The Novelis group already prioritized movement, and the designers wanted to make the circulation even more seamless, as if the routes had always been there. “They were already pretty mobile as far as their work processes and flow, and so as we planned the space we made sure that we had various zones within each neighborhood that really focus on different activities. Having visual cues and sightlines into a huddle room to see if it is available, or if someone you need to partner with is in the office, allows staff to understand the space and makes the flow easier,” Wells said.
With a hybrid model implemented, the ease of meeting for those on-site and at a third space enhances the work experience for all. “Technology, of course, is a key part, because we are more connected than ever from a virtual standpoint,” Treter said. “But how do we provide digital equity when employees are traveling to different locations and they need to schedule a meeting? How do we enhance people’s opportunities for mentoring and growth, especially as a mobile organization? We helped Novelis find those answers with space solutions.”
Areas for socialization were not decreased, but rather, they complement the task-oriented zones. “We wanted them to come together for business, but also have social connectivity. In the social hub there are games, books, and various ways to have a bit of reprieve from what they may be working on, but without having to leave the building. It is part of the whole, yet in some ways it feels very different, which gives the employees an opportunity for a reset during the day,” Wells explained.
The headquarters successfully presents the company’s mission, a public face to customers, and it is also an extension of the Novelis staff’s own values. “Inclusivity and equity, the principles of universal design, are natural to the space. The manner in which you move through the workplace, the ability to engage in different ways, makes people feel included and provides a strong community feel,” Treter noted.
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