Designing Our Monterrey Studio
The vision for this design was to introduce Perkins&Will to the Monterrey market by capturing the essence of our craft by the way we design, utilize, and experience our workspace. In Monterrey’s voice and unique character, we aligned firmwide design drivers to create the studio’s look and feel. Driven by entrepreneurial industries such as steel, concrete, glass, and brewing, Monterrey harmonizes innovation and tradition. These key industries are analytical and process-oriented innovators, which our team cultivated throughout the work environment.
To successfully introduce Perkins&Will’s global leadership in design, our team creatively implemented firm goals in a way that would resonate with the Monterrey community. Our office became a zone for experiential research to intrinsically understand the impacts and opportunities of LEED and FitWel certifications, in the context of Mexico. The office excels at energy performance and operational zero-carbon business. Our tower opens to San Pedro Garza Garcia, one of the most pedestrian friendly neighborhoods of Monterrey, to further edify our commitment to well-being.
In Mexico, design constantly interacts with nature, and in this case the mountains navigate our design palette in the workspace. We prioritized the magnificent views, light, and natural backdrop from every direction. We balance the backdrop with warm, exposed, and modest fixtures and finishes inspiring room to design.
― Phil Harrison, Chief executive officer of Perkins&Will
The integration of LEED, Fitwel, and WELL requirements added complexity to the project, presenting unique challenges. The design team embraced these intricacies in order to achieve the project’s sustainability goals. A wellness-focused design was fostered through the implementation of an open-office concept, complemented by adjacent space types. Thorough examinations were conducted to address specific features such as indoor air quality and material selection, ensuring compliance with all rating systems. The incorporation of the firm’s Precautionary List introduced an additional layer of complexity, particularly in evaluating local manufacturers.
As a result, the LEED v4 IDC project achieved LEED Platinum, the largest of its kind in Latin America, as well as a Fitwel 1-star certification. The studio is also pursuing a WELL certification to further showcase excellence in sustainable design.
