Vocon sought to renovate and expand its Cleveland space to create a headquarters with a vibrant workplace culture while actively fostering creativity and collaboration.

Founded in 1987 as a design firm focused on interiors, Vocon has grown to more than 180 employees, with offices in Cleveland, New York City and Los Angeles, and projects nationally and internationally. Today the firm offers a comprehensive suite of services including corporate, retail and residential interiors, architecture, workplace strategy, and experiential brand strategy.
The Cleveland headquarters office Vocon occupied in 2005 accommodated the company’s steady growth. But, by 2017, Vocon required a much larger and more dynamic space to support its expanding workforce and client base.
When was the project completed?
2018
How much space (SF)?
15,000 square feet

Was this new or renovated space?
Renovated
Is there a mobile work or work from home policy? If so, what percent of employees are remote workers?
YES 10 %

Describe workspace types.
The vision for Vocon’s redesigned headquarters was to create a welcoming, activity-based work environment, that offers flexible options for employees and guests to work successfully, either independently or in groups. The adjustability allows the space to evolve as employees’ needs change, while supports the productivity of the Vocon team by providing access to natural light and encouraging movement and comfort.
What kind of meeting spaces are provided?
The 15,000-square-foot headquarters, located at 3142 Prospect Avenue in Cleveland, occupies two floors, with a working reception and lounge area, large cafe spaces, and a variety of inspiring spaces to support collaboration, teamwork, creative thinking and individually focused work. A dramatic staircase connects the two floors.

What other kinds of support space or amenity spaces are provided?
1. Our Virtual Reality (VR) Room. This multi-functional room was designed to maximize our design capabilities. We use this room internally to strengthen design decisions and with our clients to virtually walk them through their space before it is built! The room also has color temperature changing lights which help us when selecting finishes. The large displays on the wall are powered by Bluescape. Bluescape allows us to share content with people globally, as well as present documents and utilize VR at a large scale.

2. Our Library. This space holds all of the product samples and literature to our most used materials. We have a lot of space to layout and store projects as we work on them. It is also a meeting space for internal meetings and client presentations. Our clients really enjoy seeing the environment our designers work in and where their projects begin.

What kind of branding elements were incorporated into the design?
The phrase “Love Your Work” is central to the Vocon ethos, applying to both employees, partners, and clients. Its inclusion on the headquarters’ branded wall sets the tone for the space, reinforcing Vocon’s passion for creating spaces that positively impact people and organizations. The bold red neon sign which communicates the catchphrase grabs your attention – a signature color representative of the firm’s brand identity.

What is the most unique feature of the new space?
The dramatic skull wall in one of the conference spaces is another symbolic design element unique to Vocon. It is an environmental graphic treatment made out of black felt laid over a red wall treatment. The skull has personal significance; it is a favorite image of Vocon’s co-owner Paul Voinovich. It represents the balance of Vocon’s owners, Paul and Deb, and their different personalities in the space. The arresting and unexpected visual demonstrates the firm’s singular approach but features a double meaning. As one draws closer to the graphic, it becomes clear that it is comprised of multiple circles, representing the firm’s emphasis on building relationships and connections.

Tell us more!
Interior Architect/Designer: Vocon
Photography courtesy of Matthew Carbone