Designed with workspaces for creative self-expression and ‘Off the Wall’ culture, the Vans headquarters was made to embody the company’s evolution. As Vans’ longstanding design partner, Rapt Studio created the office to celebrate the four pillars of the Vans brand—Art, Music, Action Sports, and Street Culture and Fashion. Drawing upon 50 years of youth culture connectivity, the design rethinks how the Vans brand comes together around work and play.

Located on a 14-acre site, the headquarters includes ample room for future growth. Bringing the underground to the mainstage, the office was organized around a central courtyard that connects interior offices to outdoor spaces, while an iconic red staircase becomes the literal and figurative symbol of connection between the varied groups housed within. As such, it connects the first-floor café, with the second-floor coffee area and the third-floor outdoor terrace BBQ. The space was also optimized for visitors, with the main circulation rings avoiding the private workspaces.

The design of the workplace supports a range of active work styles, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Concrete floors allow product integration – in other words – employees can skate from desks to meeting rooms.

In homage to the brand’s deep roots in music, there is a jam room, and the shared celebration of Art is apparent throughout with murals, classic skateboard art, and street art elevate the experience.