Raley’s Support Center recently completed a comprehensive renovation to transform their three-story building into an open office environment which promotes collaboration, enhances teamwork and reflects the company's brand and culture.
“We wanted to offer our team members an open, contemporary place to work—to make the environment a happy and productive place that reflects our culture. We opened up the building to bring in light, designed areas with opportunity for collaboration and listened to what team members told us would make this building a great place to work,” said Mark Foley, Raley’s Chief People Officer. “We’re proud to offer a vibrant work environment that brings energy into the workplace.”
Raley’s hired architect and long-time partner Coact Designworks to work with leadership and employees to create a new and modern work space. This included strategic work flow updates to create higher levels of efficiency, collaboration and engagement between team members. A major redesign of each floor removed private offices along the building perimeter to expose the windows, and conference and meeting room walls were designed as full-height glass walls and doors. This new design takes advantage of natural light to light the spaces, allows all employees to benefit from an open-floor concept.
“As Architects and designers, we are always striving to enhance the lives of people by the environments we create. This project was a perfect example of that. A main concept for Raley’s new office design was centered around making a healthier and happier environment for their employees. With the vision, dedication and collaboration with Raley’s, we produced a very successful project,” said Coact Designworks Project Manager, Mitch Bjorgum.
In order to gain an accurate perspective on how to design the floors, the designers first met with individual teams to determine their wants and needs. The identified needs were considered when developing the layout and selecting finishes on each floor. For example, the creative minds were given full dry erase walls, pin up walls and standing height layout tables to support brainstorming sessions. New rooms were developed to support the grocery business; the marketing team received a cutting-edge photo studio, featuring a beautifully-designed kitchen set and video space. While the merchant team received a custom wine and beer tasting room to both store and sample potential products.
A wide variety of alternative work spaces were incorporated, including various-sized conference rooms accommodating 16 people down to two; open, team huddle and brainstorming areas; tucked away semi-private hotel stations; stand-up telephone booths; and open use, soft-seating for both private and collaborative use. These versatile spaces are incorporated throughout the building to accommodate different work styles.
Raley’s and Coact Designworks teamed up with MTA, a Sacramento firm specializing in Herman Miller designed furniture, to select and source the furniture throughout the office. Many factors were considered when selecting furniture such as ergonomics, flexibility, and a balance of traditional and casual furniture. This included not only the employee workstations, but all of the open work areas, huddle rooms, conference rooms, and the main lobby.
Raley’s CEO office was converted into a conference room. Named after founder Thomas P. Raley, this room was designed with a current take on a traditional style, to update the room while paying tribute to their past. This room features the original marble top desk from Mr. Raley, which has been converted into a conference room table to mirror the shift in the company culture.
The first floor lobby was re-imagined with a new layout and design that improved the efficiency of the space. The new lobby incorporates six small conference rooms to allow for quick and convenient meetings between visiting vendors and the merchandizing team. An office-wide sound masking system was installed to maintain speech privacy and reduce distractions throughout the open office.
The remodel began in 2016, with a focus on common areas used by all team members. The second-floor kitchen was converted to offer fresh and healthy food, the same options offered in Raley’s stores. In addition, the company invested in a state-of-the-art gym, outside walking trail and greenspace (onsite) to promote a healthy lifestyle. In order to avoid any interruption in business operations, construction was implemented in three unique phases, one for each floor, which helped the company maintain productivity and momentum.
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About Raley’s
Raley’s is a privately-owned and family-operated customer experience grocery company headquartered in West Sacramento, CA. Raley’s stores are the destination for the best fresh products, affordable offerings and personalized service. The company’s commitment to infusing life with health and happiness by changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time, has made it a trusted source for food, nutrition, and wellness. Raley’s strives to enhance transparency and education in the food system in order to help customers make more informed, healthy food choices. Raley’s operates 129 stores under five banners: Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods, Food Source, and Market 5-ONE-5. Making healthier offerings accessible to everyone, Raley’s has expanded beyond the store to operate grocery curbside pick-up and delivery in their nearby communities.
About Coact Designworks
Established in 1945, Coact Designworks provides comprehensive architectural and design services to the commercial/retail, education, and healthcare markets. Headquartered in Sacramento, California with an office in San Francisco, Coact Designworks serves clients throughout California and Nevada. At Coact Designworks, great design is measured not just by how it looks, but by what it can achieve. Every aspect of our designs is purposeful, brings value, and contributes to the solution—aesthetically, functionally, and environmentally. Close collaboration with our clients, a dedication to responsiveness, and the implementation of design thinking has resulted in relationships that span decades.
Source: Raley’s
