Game on! Bandai Namco’s new Irvine-based Headquarters is the Destination of Dreams for PAC-MAN Fanatics and Employees Alike
WACA WACA…. the iconic sound of PAC-MAN, the legendary game that started it all.
With more than 43 million units sold, this cute, colorful, dot-eating and ghost-eluding ‘maze chase’ arcade game is widely regarded as the greatest, most influential game of all time.
PAC-MAN is also the face of the Bandai Namco Holdings USA brand, which recently relocated its U.S. headquarters to Irvine, California and awarded Hendy the dream assignment of designing its interiors – truly redefining what it means to ‘work hard, play hard.’
The front entrance greets employees and visitors with an immersive, floor-to-ceiling experience that pays homage to the company’s rich history in the toy and gaming industry. Throughout the building there are special nods to the brand’s beloved games, toys and collectibles through the creative use of strategically placed wall graphics, colors, and shapes.
While researching the brand’s storied history, Hendy learned that PAC-MAN was first conceptualized when the inventor, Toru Iwatani, was eating pizza and removed the first slice. In tribute to this defining moment, a playful window graphic of a pizza missing a slice prominently featured in one of the collaborative working spaces. Additionally, white globe light fixtures, which lead down hallways, were specifically selected to emulate PAC-DOTS.
While the final product is a cohesively branded workspace, Hendy customized the design of each division to suit their needs. Collaborative gathering spaces help foster company-wide collaboration and include a studio, a main staircase, and a large breakroom that can convert into an all-hands space. in the main large lobby, a giant LED screen divides the staircase from the main entrance and showcases the brand’s digital media to serve as creative inspiration for the staff. An oversized, 15-foot statue of Gundam stands in the lobby, and an exclusive central showroom beyond the security gates displays hundreds of Bandai Namco collectibles.
And while this project was indeed FUN for Hendy, the team also stayed committed to the ‘work hard’ mantra, meeting every target deadline and completing the assignment from start to finish in 11 short months from visioning to installation. One of the quickest turnarounds for a full-service design project of this size in Hendy’s 43-year history… all to ensure the Bandai Namco team could move in on schedule.