Sonos
Santa Barbara, California
Corporate Culture and a Commitment to a Healthy Workstyle Drives Design of Sonos’ New Urban Headquarters
American consumer electronics company, Sonos, Inc., known for their hi-fi wireless sound systems and smart speakers, is shaking-up the way their employees work. Just as they disrupted how people listen to music, the brand has reimagined the corporate campus, amplifying their work culture through the design of their new headquarters.
In a bold move, the consumer tech giant expanded its footprint in Santa Barbara, forgoing a relocation to Silicon Valley or Silicon Beach. Having outgrown their previous Santa Barbara location, Sonos took over a series of downtown warehouses, converting them into a vibrant urban campus. Staying true to their ‘redefining reality’ mission, the multi-building complex celebrates Santa Barbara’s healthy life and work styles. All buildings are within walking distance to nearby shops and restaurants and employees are incentivized to bike to work and take walk and talk meetings.
The four-building complex consists of a 27,675 square-foot building at 614 Chapala Street, which houses executive management, marketing, human resources, finance, and IT and software development departments. Created by modern California architecture firm, Shubin Donaldson, this main building boasts an open floor plan that takes advantage of daylighting and ocean breezes. Designed to integrate into the landscape, clerestory windows pull in sunshine while exposed wood beams provide a connection to nature. Exterior patios further connect employees to the outdoors, doubling as impromptu meeting spaces.
Sonos Office Furniture Program
The design team partnered with Unisource Solutions to create a fresh new workplace that would appeal to a multi-generational workforce and communicate Sonos’ progressive culture. The indoor programmatic elements included club lounges, enclosed collaboration spaces, experience rooms, individual workstations, flex desking, and play areas. We seamlessly integrated over 500 workstations and outfitted dozens of collaboration spaces with well-appointed furnishings to complement the overall look.
In keeping with Sonos’ healthy workstyle commitment, we sourced height adjustable benching desks and tables to ensure employees could personalize their workstations. While ubiquitous today, these desking systems were a relatively new concept when this project was completed; a testament to Sonos’ progressive, people-centered way of working.
In addition, we synced with Sonos’ collaborative philosophy, taking an integrated approach to installation. We worked hand-in-hand with the design and construction teams on scheduling and coordinated timely deliveries from our Los Angeles warehouse facilities. The result is an inspiring and creative space that reflects Sonos’ cutting-edge culture.
Other Sonos buildings include a 30,604 square-foot former warehouse at 419 State Street, a 49,383 square-foot building at 25 East Mason Street and a 6,653 square-foot building adjacent to the main headquarters, located at 600 Chapala.
