MBH Architects has designed the new headquarters for Allbirds, the eco-friendly footwear startup. Located in one of San Francisco's oldest historic districts, the 13,000-square-foot office space melds old with new: paying homage to the popular brand that takes pride in utilizing natural materials to manufacture its products, while incorporating elements of the original building's character throughout.
Upon entering the clean, open-plan workspace on the ground floor, the company's signature whimsical doodles, the creation of the New Zealand illustrator Toby Morris, greet visitors and employees. The lobby includes another quintessential Allbirds touch - a wool wallcovering that features the Allbirds logo, made from the same Merino wool that is used in the brand's signature Wool Runner shoe. Along with tables and seating for communal gatherings, the lobby area is rounded out by glass-enclosed breakout spaces suitable for both collaborative and solo work.
The focal point of the office is a grand central stair, which MBH added to improve internal connectivity between the two floors. The new office's second floor highlights the building's restored, exposed brick and original street signage taken from its exterior. This floor features several multi-functional zones with open workstations, glass-enclosed conference rooms, 'callbirds' phone rooms, and additional collaboration spaces.
"We have a history of joining forces with Allbirds, having first worked on their Montgomery Street pop-up and previous office space in San Francisco," said Ryan McNulty, a Senior Associate at MBH Architects. "We find that our values align nicely-they bring a unique and transparent approach to shoe design and we bring a novel tact when it comes to architecture. Together, we have built a dynamic and future-minded office that will support the brand's continued growth."
Photography: Courtesy of Allbirds