New Project Reveal! RPM PR Headquarters

Designed by: Erin Melkonian, Principal, EMID

Styled by: Olivia Schmitz, Senior Designer, EMID

Photography: Ellie Koleen

It was a professional highlight when public relations maven, Rae Pardini Matson employed our services to design her new headquarters.  Chic, poised, edgy, coy, cute, engaging, intelligent, insightful, proper, original, innovative, darling, perceptive, driven…these are all the words that come to mind when I think of Rae. We were lucky to start with a clean, industrial slate. The space was a 30 x 30 foot box, with sealed concrete floors and exposed ducting.  What came from that stark box is now a fully functional office and event space that highlights Rae’s brand perfectly.

The RPM PR team works collaboratively, so it was important to offer maximum flexibility when it comes to communication.  A large work station, known in the commercial world as a “bench”, seats six team members. The Inscape RockIt bench provides power, storage, and workspace for each individual, while allowing a more collaborative work environment. When more privacy is desired, lightweight acoustic partitions can be easily affixed to the center rail.

Modern outdoor planters provide a partition to delineate the workspace from the lobby area, while softening the starkness of the large space. Studies have shown that incorporating natural elements into the workplace contributes to employee health and productivity. A gallery wall brings whimsy to the space and references the strong who works at RPM PR.

The boss babe requested a semi-private office that we created with our sustainable Herman Miller wall system. The thin black frames of the walls reference the upscale warehouse vibe throughout. Within the frame, we chose a frosted glass panel that can double as a white board surface, making it perfect for a team of brainstorming professionals. We outfitted the semi-private office with Inscape’s Planna systems furniture, which is specialized for private offices to maximize storage and functionality, while providing a design forward look. One of our favorite details of the Planna system is the tapered wood leg that provides a clean, Scandinavian aesthetic. Desk accessories are clean and feminine, but the crowning jewel is the custom painting by local artist Dominique James.

We created a small kitchenette from a minimalist modern desk and marble floating shelf. The lacquered tulip table and stools provide a casual space for the group to congregate for lunch and breaks. The reception was embellished with jewel-toned wallpaper and a neon logo that has become a popular backdrop for firm branding.

Before the transformation…