J.T. Magen carves out an inspiring atrium for Hain Celestial’s Long Island award-winning headquarters
When The Hain Celestial leased boring office space with little more than drywall partitions in Lake Success, NY, they had something more inspiring in mind for their showcase headquarters, says Nick Parisi, J.T. Magen project manager. They tagged A+I, known for hip designs, and J.T. Magen, an award-winning corporate interiors contractor, to bring their vision to life.
The resulting new Hain Celestial headquarters in New Hyde Park, NY won one of the industry’s top accolades: Best Large Corporate Office in the country in Interior Design’s Best of the Year Awards 2013.
To lock in success from the start, the 80,000 sq. ft. space was surveyed prior to blueprint release and demolition to eliminate hidden conditions. Value engineering ensured budget control.
The atrium effect
“The interior was gutted to open up the floor plan – there are no offices, just a few large conference rooms,” Parisi explains. “To create an airy loft effect, the J.T. Magen team cut a 40 x 40 ft. hole in the ceiling/floor between the first and second floors, and surrounded it with glass panels topped with metal guardrails.”
To add further drama to the central atrium, accent panels were cladded with 1/4-inch-thick, blackened steel plates. “They look sharp, although the steel was difficult to install,” says Parisi. “The light in the atrium provides nice contrast to the dark steel and polished concrete floors, and makes the space pop.”
Test kitchen challenge
The large test kitchen on the ground floor was a challenge to construct in an office building due to the rules and regulations from the Department of Environmental Protection, Nassau County, the township and the Fire Marshall. Stringent requirements demanded special washing stations, a hood with black iron ductwork to the roof for kitchen exhaust, high-level equipment specifications and a comprehensive fire protection system.
A retail store showcases Hain Celestial merchandise for employees and visitors.
“The concept for the Hain Celestial headquarters was unique,” says Parisi. “There were few change orders, and the project came in on time and under budget. When you build a strong foundation for a project, it comes out well,” he adds.