Santina Busalacchi - gresham smith offices

using color & local culture to inspire the return to office.

gresham smith offices
multiple locations

firm:
gresham smith

designers:
santina busalacchi

skills:
design, illustration, coordination with interiors

The pandemic affected so much of our daily lives, especially how we live and work. Operating remotely became the norm and allowed for a more flexible work life balance, but the in-person collaboration one experienced in the office was notably missed. The introduction of a hybrid work schedule appeared to be an ideal solution. It allowed employees the convenience of working from home while simultaneously providing opportunities for real-life interaction and collaboration. The challenge, though, is how to incentivize employees to return to the office. The traditional office setup had to be reimagined, with a greater emphasis on shared, adaptable spaces and fewer cubicles. By incorporating more social spaces and interactive elements, we needed to provide a compelling reason for employees to leave the comfort of their homes. Gresham Smith recognized this issue and began revamping its office spaces to meet our evolving needs in this post-pandemic world. A significant aspect of this initiative is the introduction of custom murals in each redesigned office. These murals are designed to infuse the energy and dynamism of the local culture of each respective city into the core of every office. They narrate unique stories from the city's cultural richness, adding a distinctive personality to each space. Through this project, the firm strives to foster an environment that not only encourages the team to return to the office for work, but also to be part of a lively, inclusive, and culturally rich environment that motivates, inspires, and empowers.