Duolingo
Structure Tone provided construction management services for the reconfiguration of the 26th and 27th floors of Duolingo’s new NYC offices, transforming the space into an open, collaborative hub for over 200 employees. The new layout was designed to accommodate a variety of work styles giving priority to neurodiversity in the workplace, from tranquil reading rooms ideal for focused work to lively, collaborative spaces like the cafeteria. The renovation included a new reception area, coffee shop, workshop, dining area, library, and reading rooms. Existing meeting rooms were removed to make room for additional workstations, promoting a more open layout.
The design features a blend of minimalist and functional elements, such as an emerald-green coffee bar with Pothos plants that hang from the ceiling known as the Green Bean, adding a touch of nature to the workspace. For the reception area, a custom millwork base was built to support the placement of the iconic owl structure of Duo, their mascot. In the dining room, glass block walls were coordinated to create a 3D effect for the owl, enhancing its visual impact. The flooring throughout the space was a combination of carpet, vinyl, cork, carpet tile, and wood flooring. Lighting was a key focus, with 50% of the original lights being relocated, while new fixtures were added throughout the space, including knife-edge lighting in the reception area, decorative fixtures in the reading rooms, and new lights in the dining area, conference rooms, and the Green Bean coffee bar.
Conference rooms of varying sizes provide options for both small meetings and larger group discussions, and private phone booths for quiet calls. To help employees navigate the expansive space, wayfinding elements such as alphabetized conference room names and color-coded sections further enhance the design. Despite a tight schedule, with the previous lease set to expire, Structure Tone completed the project on time, delivering a versatile and thoughtfully designed office that enhances creativity, productivity, and employee comfort.
© Christian Harder
Architect
Rapt Studio
Client
Duolingo
Address
Four World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007
SF
72,000sf
Contract
CM
Architect
Rapt Studio
Owner's Rep
Gardiner & Theobald
Engineer
Robert Derector Associates
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