Guidewire Headquarters
San Mateo, CA
Category: 2020 Corporate
Architect: David Whitney Architects
Starnet Member:
Hoem & Associates
Starnet Preferred Vendors:
Amtico, J+J Flooring, Johnsonite By Tarkett, Mannington Commercial Carpet, Matter Surfaces, Tarkett Collection Hard Surfaces, Uzin Utz North America, Inc., XL Brands
Project Strategy
Guidewire’s program for a new headquarters specifically asked to improve wellness, wayfinding, lighting, and to create varied workspace options to accommodate a wide range of employee ages, cultural backgrounds and working styles in a cohesive environment. Guidewire also asked us to incorporate their core values of Integrity, Rationality and Collegiality in design decisions. We were fortunate to have a fully engaged team from Guidewire that was interested in notions of plan symbolism, materiality, acoustics, color, graphic design in all aspects of the project.
Our design concept centers around themes of wellness, biophilia, interconnectivity, and flexibility. We designed for high levels of collaboration and innovation along a central diagonal Boulevard. This feature visually organizes the project and creates rational, adaptable zoning for public, private and other functions, allowing occupants to easily comprehend orientation. The Boulevard gives employees direct access to neighborhoods and all work-related and recreational amenities. Custom graphic elements speak a secret P&C code story to Guidewire employees and customers.
Within each space, there are natural elements in the wood material planking, cotton batt ceiling, skylight-like lighting, and abstracted natural visual patterns and images. The open office uses refined textures and vibrant colors to further emphasize the dynamic landscape. The goal is to subtly change the environment as one moves through the space. To that end, occupants and visitors can easily navigate the space intuitively, without aggressive directional signage. Ancillary pieces and graphic elements add varied levels of social engagement and excitement. Green parklet lounge spaces and break rooms provide a respite to the daily buzz. Casual spaces (cafes, break areas, and game rooms) feature varied ancillary furniture and complimentary yet unconventional flooring. The end result is an engaging and visually exciting space.
We worked directly with our Tarkett rep to find the best flooring values by using higher cost carpet as walkway accents within a lower cost field. We worked with the flooring sub to confirm takeoffs, and provided them for an exact plan for the placement of every cluster of accent carpet tiles. As a result, flooring was never an issue for schedule and it also came in on budget. For the installers, understanding the design intent was not an issue and we had almost no flooring-related punch items.