I've had the pleasure of working on several environmental space projects within the Starbucks headquarters building, including the Honor Wall and the lobby expansion. Prior to 2018, visitors and employees would shuffle into a small vestibule to take the elevator up to a cramped 8th floor lobby. Starbucks superfans struggled with the awkward angle required to get a photo with the Siren logo above the front doors. Our company timeline was tucked away in a hallway not accessible by the public. The major ground floor remodel gave us the opportunity to finally create a welcoming space befitting a beloved global brand.
As a leader of the small cross-functional team responsible for bringing brand stories to life, I shaped the lobby experience with employees, visitors and business partners in mind. This remodel was a major investment by the company, and getting it right was crucial. There were many, many eyes on my team’s work as we gained sign-off on our proposals, including from then-CEO Howard Schultz. In the finished space, we highlight our coffee passion, our history and our optimism for what the future holds. The most satisfying part for me once installation was complete was seeing groups of visitors interacting with the oversized Starbucks wordmark sculpture at the front entrance. Whenever I walk past such a group, I always stop to ask if they'd like me to take their picture, really feeling the Starbucks mission statement “to inspire and nurture the human spirit…one person at a time.”
photo © Lara Swimmer
photo © Lara Swimmer
photo © Lara Swimmer
photo © Lara Swimmer
process
process
Honor Wall
Honor Wall
