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ArchDC Fall 2017.qxp_Fall 2017 8/10/17 1:17 PM Page 76

Kettler’s real estate business. Another inexpensive but
high-impact focal point is a stylized rendering of the
greater Washington region above the banquette seating
in the employees lounge. The FOX team produced the
image in Photoshop for little cost.
“We were surprised at how our employees for the
most part accepted the transition to the more open plan,”
said Kettler’s Fisher. “As possible floor plans were being
considered, we shared them with the staff, and they were
able to walk the new space as it was under construction.”
What she mostly hears these days from employees is how
functional they are finding the new office to be. Staff
members, who in the past rarely ascended to the upper
floor occupied by senior management, now report feeling
far more integrated into the organization. Fisher says
they appreciate that natural light, no longer reserved for
private offices that lined the perimeter of the old office,
now floods the communal areas in the new one.
“Actually, it seemed more difficult for employees to
give up their paper than their private offices,” said Fisher.
As part of the move, Kettler embraced the electronic, greatly
reduced file space, and encouraged managers and employ-
ees to ditch paper. “We wanted this space to feel fresh
and contemporary for our employees and it does. When
visitors enter the office, they notice. As property managers
and developers this is the look we want to project.”

Alternative work stations.

Open office with private offices beyond.
76 DESIGN AT WORK