The impact of workplace change on employees and their job performance are at the core of a paper co-authored by Amy Becker and Marcella Fewox, two members of the PDR Transition Management Team.

Presented at the 2012 Conference of Change Management Professionals, “When Your Walls Come Down: Using Change Management in Workplace Redesign” examines a new approach to Change Management and how its strategies address the way work gets done in open environments leading to enhanced collaboration and increased productivity.

To download the paper, click here. 

The event challenges design teams to create out-of-this-world garments using interior design fabrics and materials.  PDR’s entry reflected the Samba of Rio de Janeiro as part of the travel theme adopted for this year’s event. 

The result was a spectacular dress of carefully tailored Herman Miller upholstery and Milliken/Constantine carpet. A belt made of carpet backing was used to mimic skin tone and silhouette of traditional Samba costumes while a headpiece reminiscent of Carmen Miranda was designed from crocheted carpet fibers and cut Balance upholstery from Herman Miller. Half way down the runway, the PDR model revealed more to the dress by dropping a train to expose a bustle made from an Embody chair by Herman Miller and crocheted ribbons of carpet fiber.

To view photos, please visit Slyworks Photography.

PDR’s Product Runway team included workplace designers Jason Ahuja, Corrine Arnot, Matt Crnkovich, Meagan McCabe, Jenny Segsworth, Emily Smith and Valerie Thompson.

HOUSTON, TX - Planning Design Research (PDR), which creates high-performance work environments for companies around the globe, has completed a transformation of the 17,000 square-foot food court in the lower level of the Allen Center office complex in downtown Houston.

One of downtown Houston’s most significant food courts, the “Court” at Allen Center has been transformed into a bright, sophisticated space with all new floor and wall finishes, ceilings and lighting, tables and seating.

The transformation includes the installation of white noise dampening ceilings, cream colored tile floors and brighter – more efficient and pleasing lighting.  The new European style café and lounge chairs are like those found in the cafes at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.             

With 500 seats, the Court at Allen Center caters to all working in and around the Allen Center Complex of three buildings which collectively house nearly three million square feet of Class A office space.  Allen Center is owned by Brookfield Office Properties.            

“The goal was to make the food court feel larger and brighter with a more active, sophisticated and timeless ambiance – even though it is in the tunnel level below grade and without windows” says Wayne Braun of PDR. “Now brighter and whiter, the people are the ‘color’ and they create the good vibes for this space – it is all about the people. We set out to create a space that feels inviting to the patrons and improves the bottom line for all of the merchants who are tenants there as well as for Brookfield.”

Tenants in the “Court” at Allen Center include Café Basil, the Candy Shop, Otto’s Bar-B-Que, Salata, Taco Cabana, Teppanyaki and Wall Street Deli.

Braun adds that food courts have become increasingly important to companies in their site selection process given the growing emphasis now placed on employees having easy access to quality food choices.  Moreover, he says a well-designed food court gives workers an uplifting place to go for a break or lunch and can help stimulate their body and mind throughout the rest of their day.

Founded in 1977, PDR focuses on corporate architecture, working with Fortune 100 companies around the globe to create high-performance work environments for organizations which recognize the workplace as a key, strategic asset in promoting the effective integration of talent, process and technology.  For more information, go to www.pdrcorp.com.

FEATURED IN THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE

HOUSTON, TX – Planning Design Research (PDR), which creates high-performance work environments for companies around the globe, was recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) on Thursday, March 22, 2012 with three 2012 AIA Houston Design Awards for outstanding work in Interior Architecture.

PDR won two Interior Architecture awards, one for the firm’s own office in 2 Houston Center and the other for BG Group’s new 250,000-square-foot lease at BG Group Place in downtown Houston.

The awards jury chose to bestow PDR with a third honor, a “Divine Detail” Award for its visually striking white-and-yellow perforated aluminum paneled wall design, a dominant feature in PDR’s Houston-based office. 

PDR’s Houston office recently was named the first Houston workplace to earn the prestigious LEED CI (Commercial Interior Design and Construction) Platinum certification, the U.S. Green Building Council program’s highest classification.

The AIA Houston Design Awards program recognizes
 design excellence in architecture, residential architecture, interior architecture, restoration/renovation, and urban design. 

Founded in 1977, PDR focuses on corporate architecture, working with Fortune 100 companies around the globe to create high-performance work environments for organizations which recognize the workplace as a key, strategic asset in promoting the effective integration of talent, process and technology.

Planning Design Research (PDR), which creates high-performance work environments for companies around the globe, has become the first Houston workplace to earn the prestigious LEED CI (Commercial Interior Design and Construction) Platinum certification, the U.S. Green Building Council program’s highest classification.

Located in Two Houston Center, PDR is the tower’s first tenant to earn LEED certification. The 40-story building is certified LEED EBOM (Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance) Gold.

Occupying the entire 39^th floor, the office design demonstrates PDR’s deep understanding of workplace and sustainability to create a balanced, healthy environment.  

 LEED CI is the U.S. Green Building Council’s green benchmark for the tenant improvement market.  According to the USGBC, LEED CI stands as the recognized system for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places to work, are less costly to operate and maintain, and have a reduced environmental footprint.

94% of PDR’s regularly occupied spaces are day lit

92% of its regularly occupied seats have a direct view to the outside

78% of construction waste from its build out was diverted from the landfill

56% of materials used in the PDR workplace were manufactured regionally

Other factors contributing to PDR’s LEED CI Platinum certification are its selection of a  site in a diverse and densely developed location within a sustainable office building; its efforts to reduce the lighting power density (0.74 watts per square foot, or 26% below the allowable by code); its use of low-emitting materials including paints, adhesives, flooring and furniture systems; greater than 35% water-use reduction, its superior indoor environmental quality; and the implementation of an ergonomic strategy throughout the workplace. 

PDR moved to its workplace in Two Houston Center in February 2011. 

Known as “The Well,” the 15,000-square-foot facility will include a variety of exercise equipment, state-of-the-art cardio, strength training equipment, a dedicated room for spinning classes, a large group exercise room as well as men’s and women’s lockers and showers.

The facility is in keeping with Devon Energy’s commitment to provide Wellness Centers for all its workplaces, including those at its offices in Calgary and corporate headquarters in Oklahoma City.

For the sixth straight year, Fortune Magazine’s 2011 list of the world’s most admired companies includes Devon Energy. Devon ranked third in the mining and crude oil production category.

A template workplace design for conventional, private offices has been created to provide the company with the highest level of long-term workplace flexibility.

Ultimately, six floors will be added to Oxy’s Oil & Gas Division in Houston.

Patterned after its Houston office, Accenture’s newly designed workplace on three floors of a new building in Washington D.C. Metro Area is being designed to attract and adapt to a new generation/new style of workers where those at every level of the organization will feel more connected with a greater sense of community.

The space also will include a visual display real-time room scheduling system, low-speed walk stations, soft phones and a host of other cutting-edge technologies advancements to support collaboration and improve productivity.