Case Studies

Is good design good business? To test that principle, we investigated corporations that have used innovative architecture to address key business goals. What we found may surprise you: The metrics indicate that quality design has had a positive impact on the bottom line in such areas as productivity; recruiting and retention of talent; branding; and sustainability. Many CEOs we talked to attribute increased revenue to their buildings’ designs. For some, architecture has become a powerful sales and marketing tool; for others, a way to speed up and improve product development. All have found substantial benefits.

Autodesk AEC Headquarters

The Future of Construction » Autodesk's AEC HQ points the way to a new way of building—faster, cheaper, safer and greener. Photo © Jeff Goldberg/Esto

Hawksboots Sustainable Mfg. Facility

Renovated Burial-Vault Plant Gives New Life to Midwestern Manufacturer » For $63 a square foot, three entrepreneurs get a highly flexible space that helps drive 278% revenue growth. Photo © Peter Bastianelli Kerze

Aileron

Campus Helps Entrepreneurs Take Flight » Since designing a $30 million training facility, Aileron has seen attendance at its courses double. Photo by Alan Karchmer

Urban Outfitters Corporate Campus

Urban Outfitters' Edgy Adventure » After relocating to an abandoned naval yard, the retro-chic retailer sees revenue skyrocket—and once skeptical employees have embraced the gritty, but inspiring, space. Photo © Lara Swimmer Photography

Facebook Headquarters

Facebook’s Frugal Home » The social-media leader’s bricks-and-mortar HQ—done “quickly and cheaply”—drew significant design inspiration from its own Web site. Photo by César Rubio; courtesy Studio O + A

Darden Restaurants Inc.

Recipe for Success » With its new, amenities-packed, $150 Million corporate HQ, casual dining giant Darden Restaurants Inc. serves up something special for its family of 1,300 employees. Photo by Michelle Litvin; courtesy Perkins + Will

GlaxoSmithKline

A Prescription for Profit » Miracle Cure: An open-plan office at GlaxoSmithKline leads to massive productivity gains and $50 million in revenue growth—from just one product line. Photo courtesy DEGW

The Christman Company

Credit & Credibility » By renovating a historic building into a record-setting green HQ, The Christman Co. earned $13 million in tax credits. But that’s almost penny change compared to the $300 million in new business and 50% better margins attributable to its new home. Photo courtesy SmithGroup

Walker Brands

Building as Ultimate Branding Machine » A “Before & After” Transformation for the Record Books: Walker Brands exchanges drab HQ for exuberant space showcasing its skills at creating memorable—and money-making—places. Photo by Aerial Innovations; © The Beck Group