Through an iterative design process, the team worked closely with stakeholders and the community to make sure the project goals were thoughtful, intentional, and aligned with the nonprofit’s broader strategic plan. The interiors were shaped around three key priorities: creating a strong sense of place, offering a warm and welcoming environment, and providing a balanced mix of personal, team, and community spaces.

A central community gathering area helps strengthen team connection. Anchored by the flexible, Virginia-made furnishings of the Lemon Lounge, this hub serves as an after-hours event space, a spot for displaying organizational artifacts, and an inviting place to grab coffee and connect. Because this was the first time the organization brought its full workforce together under one roof, striking the right balance between public and private areas was essential. To make better use of the overall footprint, traditional meeting areas were removed from individual offices, allowing valuable square footage to be shifted back into shared amenities.