Audubon, PA

Professional Services Office Modernization

Client: GFT
Our Role: Architecture, Space Planning, Construction Administration

Staff lounge with mural wall, flexible seating, and long bench-style banquettes.

A legacy workspace gave way to a bold new vision as GFT reimagined its Valley Forge office, reducing the footprint by nearly two-thirds to create a more agile and collaborative environment with a floor plan designed for efficiency. This interior architecture office renovation project reflects GFT’s commitment to flexible, digital-forward workflows, replacing high-partition cubicles, perimeter offices, and fragmented support spaces with an open, connected design that promotes circulation, collaboration, and creativity. The result is a right-sized, visually engaging functional space that supports hybrid work while reinforcing GFT’s culture of innovation and adaptability.

GFT’s in-house designers worked to transform 21,000 square feet of outdated office space into a modern, efficient workplace through efficient space planning. The redesign centered on a new central spine of shared interior spaces such as the kitchen, conference rooms, storage, and printer areas. Two open office zones flank these spaces to create a streamlined layout and enhance accessibility. The design team, which included an interior designer, relocated private offices to the interior to allow daylight to reach workstations and common areas. Skylights along circulation paths were preserved and diffused with new ceiling textures to promote intuitive navigation.

To further improve programmatic efficiency, workstations were organized into four-person clusters, using strategic openings that preserved Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility while reducing aisle widths. Circulation routes double as collaboration zones —notably in the breakroom spine — maximizing spatial utility.

A series of varied ceiling heights creates volume changes that enhance spatial definition, guiding users through compressed and expanded zones that signal function and flow. Suspended acoustic baffles reinterpret the existing skylights, modulating daylight into dynamic patterns of light and shadow, especially across the entry lounge and library.

During development, the design team used a virtual reality (VR) model to test spatial relationships and address material coordination, increasing accuracy and reducing construction cost risks. Following 100% design completion, the team implemented a targeted value engineering phase to meet budget constraints without compromising design integrity.

Key Features

Optimized footprint and daylight access to support long-term sustainability.
Flexible open concept with approximately 90 workstations.
28 private offices, six phone booths, and three conference rooms.
Centralized collaboration spine with kitchen and multipurpose library.
Skylight integration and diagonal custom acoustic ceiling baffles to improve lighting and wayfinding through primary corridors.
Volume changes through varied ceiling heights to define living area zones.
Custom wall features at the entry and break room for visual identity.
Inviting guest seating area at the entrance for informal meetings.
Material finishes that signal spatial function: soft carpet in work areas, warm wood flooring in collaboration zones, and durable luxury vinyl tile (LVT) in circulation paths.

Outcomes

Improved access to daylight, acoustic comfort, and spatial clarity support staff well-being throughout the workday.
Positive user feedback noting increased comfort, connectivity, and creative energy.
Flexible layout that maximizes utility and spatial comfort within a smaller footprint.
A refined, contemporary interior identity achieved through thoughtful material layering and a cohesive color palette.
Despite a tight schedule and budget realignment, the project exceeded design benchmarks and delivered a high-performing workplace experience.