BBG-BBGM relocating headquarters to 32,000 s/f at Empire State Building

According to managing partners Louis Hedgecock, AIA and Julia Monk, ASID, AIA, architectural and interior design firms BBG-BBGM are relocating their N.Y. headquarters to the Empire State Building. Designed to accommodate the firms' need for more space, BBG-BBGM signed a 15-year lease. The firms are relocating from 515 Madison Ave. to a 32,000 s/f space (the buildings entire 25th floor.) The firms are pursuing LEED Silver certification in the commercial interiors category. "As global design firms, this move is an important step in our long term strategy. We are pleased to provide our staff with an office environment that reflects our values of creativity, collaboration and commitment to sustainability," Hedgecock said. BBG-BBGM designed their new office space to reflect the firms' culture, identity, commitment to sustainability and work style. Designed to optimize natural light in a white and grey color scheme, the office features the Arhend benching system, HumanScale ergonomic seating and desk lights, strategic use of reflective surfaces for maximum dispersal of natural light, and a partially exposed ceiling structure. Some of the energy saving elements include lighting controls with daylight harvesting photo sensors; a daylight-receptive window control system with automatic window shades and operable windows to provide ventilation; and energy-efficient lighting, such as T5 high output fluorescent lamps with LEDs, to reduce the power required to 15% below ASHRAE standards. The bathroom fixtures use water and energy-saving technologies while sub-metered Energy-Star equipment and appliances control temperature, optimize energy performance and measure the firms' energy and water footprint. Selected eco-friendly materials include low-emitting VOC paints, adhesives, coatings, sealants, plastic laminates and non-formaldehyde MDF panels; recycled content materials include certified wood floors, Interface carpet tiles & Ecophon fiberglass ceiling tiles and wall coverings; renewable materials include linoleum and substrates such as strawboard in custom millwork. BBG-BBGM are internationally-renowned, award-winning architectural and interior design firms with extensive expertise in the design of mixed-use complexes, luxury urban hotels, resorts, high-end residential, retail, and corporate / office buildings. The firms have offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Scottsdale, Az., Sydney, and Shanghai. Current projects include Smyth Hotel at 85 West Broadway, New York; 330 Hudson in New York; Peninsula Shanghai in China; Shangri-La Futian in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Beijing Science Park in Beijing, China; and Centara Grand Hotel and Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand.