Imagine an office buildout project so big that designers had to approach it from a city planning perspective. That’s what the team at HGA had on its hands when Sleep Number Corp. moved its headquarters to downtown Minneapolis last year.

The bed and mattress manufacturer moved from two buildings in Plymouth to take over the lower four floors of a former data center just a couple of blocks from the Minneapolis Convention Center. The building encompasses an entire city block. Sleep Number renovated 211,000 square feet of space, and has an additional 25,000 square feet for future build-out.

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Windows and large open spaces provide views of downtown Minneapolis.

Corey Gaffer Photography

The move provided Sleep Number the chance to change its space and culture, said Angela Gearhart, vice president of brand experience for the company. “We thought we would use this opportunity to evolve.”

At the core of that evolution was creating a community that was “more we and less me,” Gearhart said.

“Sleep Number wanted to transform the culture for collaboration,” said Paula Storsteen, interiors lead for HGA.

To do that, designers had to start with a focal point. “We created a central plaza to draw everyone to the center,” Storsteen said.

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The central plaza is a gathering place for employees.

Corey Gaffer Photography

The central plaza includes a tech bar, a café and a coffee bar, which offers digital or online ordering for employees. Meanwhile, casual collaborative spaces with a variety of different seating options and configurations surround the plaza in “neighborhoods.”

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Collaborative spaces are integrated throughout Sleep Number’s new office space.

Corey Gaffer Photography

“[Sleep Number] wanted to make sure you can always work in those spaces,” Storsteen said. Warm tones in a variety of textures and materials give the space a comfortable and inviting feel.

Each floor also features spaces with shuffleboard, foosball and walking treadmills.

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One of the “play” spaces at Sleep Number’s headquarters

Corey Gaffer Photography

Gearhart said that while Sleep Number is moving to a more collaborative culture, employees still have personal space with ergonomic chairs, adjustable-height desks and the latest in technology.

“The space is designed to help innovation. Everything is incredibly intentional. Comfort and technology is the brand,” Gearhart said. The new workspace is designed to reflect that.

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While the new space is focused more on “we” than “me,” personal work spaces are stocked with ergonomic chairs, adjustable height desks and the latest in technology.

Corey Gaffer Photography

A year after moving in, employees still love the space, she added. “They think it’s a cool place to work. People are proud of it.”

Gearhart added that the new digs have helped with retention and recruitment. “It was a huge endeavor, but it’s been great for the team and the brand.”

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2018/10/30/cool-offices-sleep-numbers-new-hq-reflects-brands.html