Page 34 —
COLORADO REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
— December 17, 2014-January 6, 2015
Construction, Design & Engineering
T
he idea of better pro-
ductivity, less absen-
teeism and a reduction
in long-term health care costs
can be very appealing to most
executives, yet a clear under-
standing of what constitutes
a healthy workplace environ-
ment is still in its infancy. Defin-
ing elements like daylighting
and access to nature give us a
place to start, but our firm has
found that a company's inter-
est in designing for health and
wellness is still more likely to
emerge from its corporate cul-
ture and values than from a set
of industry guidelines.
Firms interested in these
ideas are often deeply commit-
ted to their employees. In fact,
many sponsor health fairs, exer-
cise programs and the like to
encourage a happier, less stress-
ful workplace long before they
have the opportunity to dem-
onstrate their corporate values
through a new or renovated
physical environment.
This was indeed the case
with The IMA Financial Group,
where health and wellness have
been an integral part of this
family oriented culture since
its beginnings in 1974. When
Chief Executive Officer Robert
Cohen, grandson of one of the
original founders, established a
branch in downtown Denver in
1988, he was seeking a healthier
lifestyle. Today, his staff of 250
continues to mirror these val-
ues. In their view, they are in the
health and wellness business.
Thus, being a good example for
their clients is
just a part of
who they are.
As Darlene
C h a m b e r -
lain, IMA's
point person
on the design
and build-
out of their
new space,
explains, “We
really try to
live it.We also
hope weʼre
sending a clear message to our
clients and others we touch that
health is paramount.”
So when IMA sought our
assistance in designing its cor-
porate headquarters within the
Denver Union Station North
Wing Building, our role was
more about sensing who they
are at their core – their culture
and what values they hold –
than following a checklist of
“health and wellness” tips. In
short, it was our job to translate
the company essence into physi-
cal reality.
Cohen also encouraged execu-
tives and staff at all levels to
engage in the process, which
resulted in a highly personalized
workplace designed to meet the
specific needs of this strongly
integrated culture. The end
result is a relaxing, stress-reduc-
ing environment that encour-
ages interaction, collaboration,
movement and enjoyment,
which has naturally enhanced
workforce productivity, loyalty
and morale. Following are just
a few of the approaches we
applied to achieve this reward-
ing outcome.
n
Design for movement.
By
nature, the life of an employee
at a typical insurance company
can be quite sedentary. People
tend to sit at their desks for
long stretches of time with little
movement. At IMA, we worked
hard to challenge this habit with
ergonomic seating and adjust-
able desks, as well as opportuni-
ties to climb stairs, move easily
from floor to floor and engage
with others. To encourage more
walking, the company's three
main floors are connected with
an airy 5-foot-wide central stair-
way integrated into the office
environment. Autilitarian egress
stairway also was enhanced
with Colorado nature-inspired
murals and an audio track of
matching sounds piped into
the stairwell to create a sense of
nature. IMA's fully appointed
fitness center, open all hours,
also keeps people moving and
focused on their health.
n
Design for mental health.
Evidence-based research has
shown that two key elements
within an office environment
have a direct influence on men-
tal and physical well-being. The
first is access to natural light,
and the second a connection to
nature. At IMA, we made an
effort to maximize both. Floor-
to-ceiling, wall-to-wall sliding
glass doors on all inner and
outer offices allow daylight from
exterior windows deep into the
space. Cubicle partitions also
were lowered from 66 inches
to 50 inches, allowing support
staff greater exposure to sweep-
ing views of Denver's down-
town skyline, Union Station
and mountains to the west. Liv-
ing plants are refreshed week-
ly throughout the space, and
a 300-gallon aquarium stocked
with an array of colorful, exotic
sea life greets workers as they
arrive at the company's top level
via the internal stairway.
n
Design inviting spaces.
Creating a welcoming and invit-
ing space that also is timeless is
actually one of the most power-
ful things a company can do
to lower employee stress and
heighten a sense of comfort in
an environment that feels like
home. Although situated within
an office high-rise, IMA's Colo-
rado casual interiors feel much
like a residential family room
defined by warm walnut fin-
ishes, flagstone walls, rustic wall
paneling and comfortable uphol-
stery pieces. First- and fifth-floor
outdoor terraces are furnished
with tables and conversation-
al seating, while an expansive
multipurpose room – located
adjacent to the building's street-
level lobby – includes a compli-
mentary Starbucks barista, an
ample supply of healthy food
choices, a foosball and pingpong
table, as well as an outdoor patio
that overlooks Union Station’s
plaza. All of these elements
have increased interaction and
heightened morale, according to
Chamberlain.
Yet, it is IMA’s corporate cul-
ture and people that have made
their beautiful new offices so
appealing. Their space speaks
clearly of health and wellness
– and anyone who enters can
just feel it. But even more impor-
tantly, IMA employees report
that their new space has given
them a deeper appreciation for
the company they work for and
what it stands for.
“The employees of IMA are
our No. 1 asset, so we like to take
care of them. We’re completely
spoiled here,” concludes Cham-
berlain, an IMA employee since
1982. “Our new space has
helped us become even more
conscious about being healthy
at work, and at home. It ties
into what we do and who we
are. It plays a role in everything
that we do.”
s
Mary Kay Sunset
Principal, Semple
Brown Design, Denver
‘Our new space has
helped us become
even more conscious
about being healthy
at work, and at
home. It ties into
what we do and
who we are. It plays
a role in everything
that we do.’
– Darlene Chamberlan, IMA
What we build together...
Integrity | Leadership | Passion | Excellence
Demonstrating why we are your preferred builder and
trusted partner.
Thank you to all that supported the
Swinerton Foundation annual fundraiser!
It is people and organizations such as yours
that greatly contribute to the
benefit of the community.
We give special thanks to our
GrandPrix event sponsors:
AMI Mechanical
Bestway Concrete
Brundage Bone Concrete Pumping
Duro Electric
Dynaelectric
Gilbert Contracting
MTech Mechanical
Pie Consulting & Engineering
RK Mechanical
Weifield Group
Zimmerman Metals
