The new Compuware office in Waltham, Mass. was among the most compelling submissions for our 2014 Work Design NOW series, sponsored by Haworth. The top three — announced here — will be profiled in depth in the coming months, but we also want to show off the finalists in short project profiles like the one that follows. Stay tuned for more!
On January 1 of this year, the Boston branch of the tech company Compuware moved into its newly renovated 70,000 SF offices. The renovation, completed in partnership with CBT Architects, came after Compuware’s acquisition of two local software companies.
With an eye to seamlessly integrating these three companies, the renovation focused on building a sense of collaboration, community, and flexibility. After looking at plans for six potential office spaces, Compuware selected the current single floor office in Waltham, Mass. because it could bring all 350 employees together in one place.
“The single floor layout facilitates maximum collaboration, interaction, and ease of communication between teams,” said John Van Siclen, general manager of Compuware’s APM Business Unit.
The office features a central boulevard which extends from the reception area through the café, Network Operations Center (NOC), meeting rooms, work stations, and employee entrance. This boulevard acts as a kind of “Main Street”, with access to a majority of the program areas throughout the office.
Said Lois Goodell, director of interior design at CBT, “The adjacent location and clear sight lines from the main boulevard provides the large office with a small town, neighborhood feel and heightened sense of community.”
Compuware’s new office also emphasizes flexibility, and the single floor plan means that every inch of the space was utilized. The design team made the decision to reuse the pre-existing training and server rooms, saving time and contributing to the project’s under-budget completion.
To further maximize use of the space, the team chose to use “a limited, but flexible furniture kit of parts,” which included a one-size workstation and a standard office set-up. Mobile seating and lounges were also placed throughout the space to facilitate impromptu collaboration and more informal meetings. Additionally, touchdown spaces interspersed throughout the office and huddle spaces located in the workstation quadrants serve to further encourage impromptu collaboration.
Technology also played a key role in the renovation. Given that Compuware boasts eighty-four offices in thirty countries across the globe, internal and external communication is crucial to the smooth running of their business. According to Goodell, all “ten meeting rooms, four conference rooms, and six huddle areas at Compuware include highly tailored, AV-equipped program spaces designed to cater to each areas functions.”
The NOC, located just off the reception area, is another example of technology at work in Compuware’s new office. In operation 24/7, it “serves as the nerve center of communication for the global company and represents the company’s level of global support to their clients.”
This efficient, vibrant new office in Waltham is filled with natural light and reflects the vibrancy and dedication of its employees.
“We are very proud of our new state-of-the-art facility,” said Van Siclen. “It is truly a reflection of the passion for excellence, energy, and clarity that all of us strive for each day at Compuware.”
