Rally Software, a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions to manage agile software development (and voted a "Best Place to Work" several times over), needed to quickly expand to create a great new environment for their Denver base of employees. DLR Group's design began as a small tenant improvement of the second floor of a downtown Denver landmark (formerly the second floor of the Tattered Cover Bookstore) to support 30 employees, but grew into a complete repurposing of the space to house nearly 100 members of this highly innovative, creative work force. The new space is all about function for Rally's people and their work, delivered in a very comfortable, people-friendly environment supporting a variety of work styles, conference and collaboration needs, technology needs, break needs, and even commuter bicycle and bare feet needs.
Goals for this 18,000 SF tenant improvement included development of a smart footprint for multifunction work, collaboration and movement, incorporation of highly functional, re-configurable furnishings and elements supporting a variety of employee work styles, spaces including large and small conference rooms, a comfortable employee dining/break area with full kitchen, and even recycling options to keep green. And everything, including power and data, had to be mobile to enable workers to plug in, re-arrange, and collaborate anywhere. From those needs and goals came simple, yet elegant design solutions ranging from overhead cable trays to a pull down power system that began as a specification from an auto mechanic's catalog - now streamlined into a more stylized "snap-and-go" plug-in technology. Write-on walls further support collaboration throughout, while flex spaces were created to accommodate small and larger-scale public gatherings or private meetings and office events. An open, full-service, modern kitchen, coffee bar and game room (equipped with beer taps) were developed to support employee needs during work and down time. Energy efficiency was addressed through daylighting, highly efficient building systems, low flow water systems, maintaining the facility's original durable finishes of concrete floors, wood and masonry, and through built in recycling programs and support for alternative transportation by providing both bike racks lining the walls and employee showers. DLR Group provided interior design, FF&E coordination, mechanical and electrical design, and construction administration services for the project.