MKDA designs 18,500 s/f headquarters for Birch Family Services

MKDA, a leading corporate space planning and interiors firm, designed 18,500 s/f of office space on two contiguous floors at 104 West 29th St. for the new headquarters of Birch Family Services, a not-for-profit that operates schools, residential and care facilities in New York for children and adults with learning and developmental disabilities. According to MKDA president Michael Kleinberg, the organization had its headquarters on numerous non-contiguous floors at 275 Seventh Ave. and needed to bring each of its operational entities together into a contiguous and collaborative workspace, all while maintaining the distinct identities and functions of each group. "Our challenge was to create a fresh and interesting space for Birch Family Services on a non-profit budget and within the standard work letter provided by the Class C building owner," said Kleinberg. MKDA used the concept of "neighborhoods" to distinguish the organization's distinct departments that include training, administration and curriculum, to name a few. The design team also had to factor into its layout the typical office space needs, such as boardrooms, IT, conference rooms, pantries, and more.