Project Description
Throughout the the restack of its five-story North American Headquarters, IA’s design calls-out the overarching Bacardi brand, while conference and meeting rooms reflect distinctive Bacardi spirits—Dewar’s Scotch, Martini & Rossi, Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, and St-Germain.
The new design transitions the headquarters from a traditional layout with closed offices and large workstations, to smaller workstations in an open plan with plenty of collaboration space and meeting rooms. A strong emphasis on transparency is expressed by floor-to-ceiling glass walls and open community spaces.
The lively, contemporary workspace pays homage to the company’s rich heritage; the design team met extensively with Bacardi to capture the brand’s overall essence and that of specific spirits. Selections of Bacardi’s classic, signature artwork are adapted for bespoke solutions and custom touches and changing pallets abound: Bombay Sapphire bottles inspire pendant light fixtures; halved barrels become seating in the Dewar’s rooms; stylish Art Deco figures in evening attire from 1930s Bacardi advertisements provide wayfinding.
A large area for events and gatherings with an upscale bar (one of many at the headquarters) suggests a ballroom with a plethora of small lights at the ceiling and ambient lighting that can change color–blue, green, red, etc.—to complement brand events.
Back-lit feature walls with product display cases are informational and interchangeable. Bacardi’s extensive collection of historic memorable is selectively displayed in museum-style cases and, of course, the Bacardi bat is seen throughout.