A Look Inside Compass’ New York City HQ

Compass, a technology-driven real estate company that helps people find their dream home, recently hired architectural and design firm Vocon to design the interior of their NYC headquarters in Union Square.

“Compass sought a design strategy that would create a multi-functional space positioned to accommodate brokers and staff, activities, internal meetings and formal events. Compass wanted an office that was visually open and with diverse environments that would foster work, collaboration and creativity. The Vocon design team achieved this goal by striking a balance of different spaces. By offering settings for a variety of different experiences within the workday the space enhances innovation and collaboration. Specifically, the Vocon team designed a series of interlocking zones that include a central collaboration zone, interconnecting stairs, a work cafe, and ancillary coffee bars. The central collaboration zone, centered in the open office environment, provides a spatial break that visually enhances the open office while providing teams with refuge spaces for both private and group collaboration. The Vocon team re-branded the fire stairs in the space as both a means of egress and a tool to connect the floors experientially. Vocon created a moment of relief by adding a moss wall and media center, as well as other spaces that foster incidental moments throughout the day. The work cafe Vocon designed for Compass welcomes employees a provides a space to host activities. Vocon included movable furniture, private booths, a game room + rejuvenation lounge, and full AV equipment for presentations. Vocon also created smaller coffee hubs placed strategically near the interconnecting stair, to provide employees with the amenities they need while freeing more area for huddle rooms and private spaces.”

• Location: Union Square – New York City, New York
• Date completed: May 2018
• Size: 180,000 square feet
• Design: Vocon