A brand built to provide America’s first responders and outdoor enthusiasts with high-quality apparel, footwear, and technical equipment, 5.11 Tactical needed a space that would share their brand experience and bring their team together into one space. After enlisting the Hendy team’s design expertise, the whole team is now in a cohesive headquarters that will stand the test of time and evolve with the company.
A deep dive into the 5.11 Tactical brand helped inform many of the design details. The design team paid tribute to the way-finding skills of outdoor enthusiasts by adding graphic examples throughout the offices in the form of small target icons across walls and floors. Expressing the brand’s connection to the outdoors, industrial elements, including wood and steel furniture, are found throughout the office. Making a subtle yet eye-catching statement as visitors enter the space, a faux granite boulder is incorporated as part of the reception desk and grounds the entire space.
Understanding the impact on employees and visitors of entering a branded space, the design team proposed incorporating the company’s fabrics and materials into the office art and architectural features. Textured strap material traditionally used in the products was woven into sculptural walls and ceiling elements. As the company was previously dispersed across multiple buildings, Hendy took advantage of every opportunity to bring the team together for increased collaboration and connection. Shared spaces, like the employee break area, were intentionally designed and outfitted with mobile furniture to invite customization depending on the occasion. As the company continues to grow, the 5.11 Tactical team’s new space is designed with flexibility and adaptability that makes it ready for whatever comes next.