When Hudson River Trading (HRT) required new offices to accommodate their growing workforce, they turned to Gensler to design their new, multi-level headquarters in 4 World Trade Center. Numbering over 200 employees and constantly expanding, HRT’s team is made up of engineers, mathematicians, and coders working together to develop automated trading algorithms. They realized a dramatic design intervention was necessary to both prepare them for growth and to embody their workforce’s diverse passions.
The new open workplace spans the 57th and 58th floors of 4WTC and allows for flexibility and staff expansion. The floors are connected by a massive, interconnecting bleacher stair, allowing for airy, vertical sightlines that are emphasized by a double-height mural. The six core work groups and amenities are dispersed throughout the plan to encourage cross-pollination and avoid departmental isolation. Offices and meeting rooms are pushed towards the building’s core to maximize natural light and to ensure uninterrupted, expansive downtown views from the workspace. Breakout locations are strategically placed to support spontaneous meetings with tools such as modular, adaptable furnishings and whiteboards to allow for quick workshops.