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with clients. Huddle rooms, phone booths, and lounges
all serve a variety of needs. Doors that can work as wall
partitions provide a maximum level of flexibility, while
glass panels allow natural light to reach interior spaces.
Both the architect and the client are confident
that the variety of workspaces will permit a successful
re-opening of the office. “There is so much flexibility
in this design and the spaces can be used in so many
different ways,” said Moylan. “They can do hybrid
[employees in the office some days and working from
home other days], they can easily expand the physical
space between workstations, and they can do ‘hoteling’
[employees reserve workspaces where and when they
need them].” Adjustable-height desks and ergonomic
chairs are used throughout to ensure that employees
will be comfortable even when sharing a workspace. A
plentiful supply of lockable storage lockers also makes
the hybrid model more convenient to employees who
work from both office and home and who may change
workspaces while at the office.
When asked about the biggest challenge of the
Blackboard project, Moylan acknowledged the budget
was not large. “We made a lot of careful and strategic
choices to get this space the way we wanted it. We were
not willing to lose some of the high-quality materials
like the premium oak in the stairs and reception area
and really good furniture and lighting fixtures. We
worked closely with our contractors and vendors to get
the most value for this budget. And we were working
with a great client.”
Dunn concurs, saying, “We wanted best value,
not just low price, on this project and we got it.”
Commenting on the collaboration with Moylan and
SmithGroup, contractor D|Watts Construction, and
furniture vendor Price Modern, he said, “It was a
dream team.”

The floor of one of the pantry spaces includes a shuffleboard court.
Old-fashioned schoolroom maps line the wall of a semi-private workspace.

THE WRITING ON THE WALL 71