This Confidential Travel Client, a global leader in making travel accessible, operates across time zones, cultures, and languages. They see travel as a force for good, taking their role seriously in connecting travelers with partners globally. Their mission is to power global travel for everyone, everywhere.

Located in Springfield, Missouri, their main office—a renovated 1940s airport terminal—embodies their ethos. With over 104,000 square feet, the building has been transformed to support nearly 1,000 employees while retaining historical elements of its past. The renovation addressed past inadequacies like lighting and acoustics, creating a workspace that fosters collaboration and productivity.

A beautiful space means nothing if it does not achieve underlying goals and innovate for the future. The design process, led by HKS, involved extensive consultations with employees to ensure the space met their needs while preserving the building's historical character. Key design measures included beauty, performance, innovation, and impact. Techniques like compression and release were used to enhance the user experience, making the office a place of discovery.

From the creation stage of the project, it was clear to all stakeholders that the guiding concept throughout would be connection and authenticity of place with an emphasis on adaptive reuse. Honoring the building’s past, present and future. An airport is a PHYSICAL connector between destinations and the client is a DIGITAL connector between destinations and experiences. There is an intrinsic relationship between the purpose of the place and the purpose of the company occupying it. We celebrate this linkage as the unique opportunity it is and the driver for all decisions.

Functionality became the end result to the research and design strategies implemented into the project. The existing airport provided little functionality to the current working needs. Several multifunctional spaces were envisioned and created to achieve purposeful and transitional areas. When spaces support multiple functions, they are resilient and promote the creation of stronger communities. Branding and wayfinding was as equally important for employee navigation and highlight the existing place.

Sustainability was a central theme, with efforts to reduce the carbon footprint through strategic use of materials and technologies. Reusable materials, energy-efficient lighting, and improved HVAC systems were significant aspects of the renovation. Employee feedback post-renovation indicates a positive reception to the changes, highlighting improved functionality and comfort.

The design also incorporated biophilic elements to connect the interior with the outside, using planters and natural materials to evoke the surrounding landscape. Overall, the project not only revitalized a historical site but also created a dynamic, sustainable workplace aligned with modern needs and environmental considerations.