Health, Happiness, and Headspace
Santa Monica, California, USA 2015-2016
Headspace’s vision to improve the health and happiness of the world immediately resonated with Kelly. When founders Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson asked for an environment where employees could be their their happiest, healthiest selves, it was perfect alignment. Together with Joelle Drury of Wolcott AI, Kelly lead the way to transform 18,000 square feet of raw production space into a balanced, playful home which would serve as Headspace's first intentionally designed headquarters.
The brand exudes a whimsical, colorful, and playful tone, while it's founders appreciate clean and minimal design. Culture manager Tom Freeman expressed a strong desire to bring the outside world indoors in a meaningful way, working as much as possible with elements of nature. And keeping in mind the company values of kindness, creativity, and authenticity, Kelly worked to create an end user experience that would allow these qualities to flow freely.
“Kelly supported this mission with more love, vision, dedication, passion, and energy than we could have ever asked for.
—Shona Mitchell Beats, Head of Operations and Culture”
The heart of the office, coined “The Lookout” is just beyond Headspace's main entrance, where a large cafe and auditorium blend together to allow for large events, standing meetings, seated work, and floor lounging all within the same space. Two large trees sit inside the light-filled home, drawing the eye upward and adding interest to the 2nd floor mezzanine's many vistas.
Meditation pods, expertly designed by Dwayne Oyler and Jenny Wu, are placed centrally in the large open work area, so all employees are only a short distance away from “Taking 10” to meditate at any time. A recording studio, film stage, and editing room were carefully considered to house Headspace's talented content team. A Design Lab is a nod to the company’s commitment to creativity, and a Silent Room serves as a device free place to rest and recharge in the midst of a long work day.
Kelly Robinson, Designer
“A few weeks before connecting with Headspace, I completed a Vipassana course and deeply felt the positive effects of meditation. Working together felt immediately aligned, and their mission to improve the health and happiness of the world comes at a time where the world really needs it.”
Photos by Wundr Studio