A transformative project has taken shape in the heart of Las Colinas, Texas, reflecting a deep commitment to growth, care, and community. In partnership with CHRISTUS Health and the acclaimed architecture firm BOKA Powell, we embarked on an ambitious journey to redesign and expand the CHRISTUS Health headquarters. This collaboration was driven by a shared vision to create more than just a functional workplace; we aimed to develop a space that speaks authentically to their brand and is tailored to the well-being of their team.
This case study explores how our partnership successfully blended workplace design with CHRISTUS Health’s mission of healing and care, resulting in a headquarters that supports their expansive network and profoundly resonates with the values they uphold.
Table of Contents
CHRISTUS Health’s Growth and Vision
CHRISTUS Health’s expansion has been both ambitious and inspiring. As they acquired and built hospitals, their need for a consolidated headquarters to support this growth became evident. Our role was to help them realize this vision by creating an environment that accommodates their expanding operations and significantly impacts the employees driving CHRISTUS’s mission forward daily.
The project commenced at a critical juncture for CHRISTUS, with their expansion efforts spanning multiple regions. This was not just about physical growth but also about nurturing the culture and values that CHRISTUS embodies. Their new headquarters in Las Colinas needed to serve as a central hub for their activities, reflecting their commitment to healthcare excellence and employee welfare. Our project was designed to meet these challenges head-on, providing a solution that met their needs and exceeded their expectations.
Supporting Teams Through Workspace Design
Our collaboration with BOKA Powell was driven by a shared goal: to design a new space for CHRISTUS that would be much more than a typical office. The existing CHRISTUS building in Las Colinas was just a block from the new site, yet it had outgrown its capacity. CHRISTUS needed a new building they could call their own, designed from the ground up with their team in mind.
The leadership at CHRISTUS was clear—they wanted a workspace that their team would look forward to coming to each day. A space where the design and functionality reflect CHRISTUS’s leadership’s appreciation and respect for their team’s hard work and dedication. Our discussions focused on making the new headquarters a place where employees feel valued and proud to be a part of.
In this journey with CHRISTUS Health and BOKA Powell, we embarked on a detailed design process, ensuring that every element of the new building was meticulously aligned with CHRISTUS’s goals and values. The result is a facility that meets their logistical needs, supports, and enhances the well-being and productivity of everyone who walks through its doors.
Incorporating Spiritual and Cultural Dimensions
From the outset, it was clear that this project was more than just a typical corporate build. Early discussions highlighted the importance of integrating spiritual elements directly into the workspace design, reflecting CHRISTUS’s strong religious foundation.
A significant feature of the new headquarters is a dedicated religious space on the first floor, thoughtfully designed with sermons and quiet reflection areas. This space is not merely an addition but a core part of the headquarters, intended to provide staff with a place to connect their faith with their work environment. This initiative was part of a broader vision to create a workplace where employees could find a unique blend of professional and personal fulfillment.
Our team, alongside BOKA Powell, was deeply involved in integrating these cultural and spiritual dimensions into the overall design, ensuring that every aspect of the headquarters resonated with the mission of CHRISTUS Health. This approach was not only about meeting the employees’ physical needs but also about enriching their work lives in a way that honors their whole selves, including their spiritual lives.
Navigating the Design and Construction Process
The process of designing and constructing the new CHRISTUS Health headquarters began with an extensive planning phase involving close collaboration between CHRISTUS, BOKA Powell, and our team at Furniture Marketing Group. Our approach was to deeply understand CHRISTUS’s functional needs and cultural aspirations, translating these into a comprehensive design strategy.
This stage involved detailed programming, where we assessed necessary square footage, room specifications, and the overall layout to ensure every department and function could operate efficiently and comfortably. BOKA Powell led the architectural design, focusing on creating spaces that are not only functional but also inspiring and welcoming for the staff.
Following the initial programming phase, we moved into the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage, involving several local dealers to ensure the furnishings and materials selected met CHRISTUS’s high standards and long-term needs. One of the most impactful phases was the mock-up stage, where we created full-scale models of proposed workspaces. This allowed CHRISTUS to visualize and physically interact with the space, giving them a tangible sense of the final product. Their feedback at this stage was crucial in refining the design to align with their expectations perfectly.
Achieving Project Excellence
Understanding the complexity and scale of the new CHRISTUS Health headquarters, it was essential to assemble a diverse team with specialized skills to tackle the various aspects of this project. This required a meticulous selection of designers and project managers who could bring various perspectives and expertise to the table.
Our expanded team approach allowed us to assign very specific roles, ensuring that each aspect of the project received focused attention. This method proved vital in managing the vast scope of work efficiently. We involved multiple designers, each dedicated to different components such as private offices, workstations, and ancillary areas. This specialization enabled us to address detailed requirements and preferences in a way that a smaller, less diversified team could not have managed.
CHRISTUS set the tone from the outset, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach where communication was key. Regular meetings and updates let us stay aligned with their vision and adjust our strategies as needed. This dynamic ensured that every team member knew their responsibilities and how they contributed to the broader project goals, enhancing productivity and ensuring that nothing was overlooked.
Personalized Design to Reflect Individual Needs
One of the standout aspects of our project with CHRISTUS Health was the highly personalized approach to the design of each space within the headquarters. From the beginning, CHRISTUS wanted to avoid a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, recognizing that different organizational roles have different needs and preferences.
This personalization extended to the executive level, where each office was custom-designed to suit individual working styles and preferences. This tailored approach was about aesthetics and functionality, ensuring that each executive could work in an environment tailored to optimize their productivity and comfort.
The depth of customization involved in-depth consultations not only with senior management but also with various employees throughout CHRISTUS. This comprehensive engagement process ensured that the final designs reflected the needs and desires of those using the spaces daily. We even took vital team members to the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, providing them firsthand exposure to a wide range of design options and allowing them to influence the selection process directly.
This commitment to personalized design was crucial in achieving a workspace uniquely suited to CHRISTUS’s culture and mission. The result is a series of functional, beautiful spaces that profoundly reflect CHRISTUS employees’ individual and collective identities.
Enhancing Well-being with Thoughtful Amenities
In our collaborative efforts with CHRISTUS Health and BOKA Powell, we recognized the importance of incorporating amenities that contribute to employees’ well-being and satisfaction. The new headquarters was designed to be more than a workplace—it was envisioned as a community space offering various supportive and recreational facilities.
Central to our vision was the inclusion of a chapel, a serene space for reflection and spiritual growth. This amenity is a testament to our alignment with CHRISTUS’s mission and values, which prioritize the holistic care of our staff. They also integrated an onsite clinic and a dedicated workout area to promote health and wellness, recognizing the crucial role of physical health in employee productivity and happiness.
BOKA Powell meticulously designed the outdoor spaces to provide tranquil settings for employees to relax and rejuvenate during breaks. These areas boast comfortable seating and are strategically connected with nature, a feature proven to reduce stress and enhance mental well-being significantly.
They also introduced a unique feature—a mini coffee bar akin to a small Starbucks, which serves as a social hub for employees. This casual space encourages interactions and provides a relaxed environment for informal meetings or breaks. Each building floor includes a break room, designed to be open and inviting, with stunning views that refresh every pause.
Through these thoughtful amenities, they aim to create an environment that supports CHRISTUS employees’ professional tasks and enriches their day-to-day experiences, making the headquarters a place where they genuinely want to be.
Crafting a Future-Ready Workplace
Our collaboration with CHRISTUS Health and BOKA Powell on the new headquarters in Las Colinas exemplifies how thoughtful workplace design and strategic partnerships can create more than just a place of work—it can foster a vibrant, healthy, and inspiring environment that tells your company’s story. Throughout this project, our joint efforts were guided by a deep understanding of CHRISTUS’s mission to nurture and support their community within and beyond their walls.
The innovative design solutions we, along with BOKA Powell, implemented reflect a commitment to personalized workspaces that cater to the specific needs of individuals and teams. By incorporating extensive feedback and actively engaging with the employees who would use the space daily, we ensured that the headquarters served functional purposes and resonated deeply with those who inhabited it.
As CHRISTUS Health continues to grow and serve communities across regions, the new headquarters is a testament to their commitment to their team’s health-first approach. This project has set a benchmark for how workplaces can be designed with heart and foresight, significantly impacting organizational culture and employee engagement.
This case study is a powerful example of how aligning architectural expertise with organizational values and employee needs can create a space that genuinely empowers and inspires. We are proud to have been a part of this transformative project and look forward to seeing how the new CHRISTUS Health headquarters will flourish as a center of innovation and care.
Let’s Build a Partnership Together
Ready to transform your office space with more than just furniture? We offer a partnership that extends beyond the conventional. Our commitment is to understand, innovate, and collaborate with you to create solutions tailored to your unique needs, with the skill, scope, and scaling capabilities required for any situation. Contact us today to find out how we can row in the same direction, building a solid relationship that grows and evolves with your business.
About FMG
FMG specializes in designing and implementing comprehensive workplace solutions. As a “Best In Class Dealer,” FMG has a strategic partnership with Haworth Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacturing of commercial office furniture that includes movable walls, systems furniture, seating, storage, and more.
FMG’s commitment goes beyond providing world-class furniture and architectural products. The very essence of our company is founded on values that place our clients at the heart of everything we do, treating them like family and building trust through exceptional service.