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52 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / March 2018 Inside & Out(side) DLR When Vertafore, a SaaS leader in modern insurance technology, was acquired by a private equity company, an infusion of capital and the consolidation of multiple field offices drove the vision for a new Denver headquarters. DLR Group helped the firm’s new leadership energize around the common goals of an open-door, transparent office of the future that would serve as a recruiting tool. While the culture change was welcome, what couldn’t budge was the suite’s difficult floor plate. An economical choice in the booming Denver market, the suite offered Vertafore expansion room and temporary space to accom- modate its rapid growth during construction: In just three months from visioning to permit, Vertafore hired 100 new employees. However, its layout as a single floor sectioned off as two tower plates and two terrace plates with narrow circulation pinch points between challenged the design team to draw all of that new talent together. With each quadrant having multiple independent building exit points, executives were concerned that isolation would increase and collaboration would suffer. Designing around a neighborhood concept overcomes the physical separation, encouraging employ- ees to travel outside their “home” section to access coveted destination amenities. Each neighborhood – the Brewery District, Coffee Shop, Health Club and Library – contains a destination including a barista bar, game room and lodge. A flexible “kit-of-parts” approach was developed to allow iterative moves as the company explores new organiza- tional models. The program includes desking, collabora- tion and social spaces; a training area that accommodates 30-35 employees or clients; a board room; and eight private offices for vice presidents who commonly confer with VIP clients. The neighborhood concept has proven popular: As Ver- tafore continues to grow, an expansion to the floor above is following the same successful design concept. DLR Group’s design matches the physical workplace transformation to Vertafore’s cultural and the organizational transformation. Vertafore’s New HQ Transforms its Culture | DLR Group PROJECT TEAM GENERAL CONTRACTOR: HOWELL CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING: DLR Group FURNITURE DEALER: E lements BROKER: CBRE AUDIOVISUAL: AVIS 1 2