An exterior sculpture at TIAA offices in Frisco, Texas represents the teachers who make up the company’s core customer base. Over 150 works of art were curated for TIAA by the art consultants at Art + Artisans.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the future of work is being reimagined, and TIAA’s new corporate hub in Frisco is leading the charge. It’s a space designed to anticipate everything employees need to thrive in the hybrid era; a testament to how companies can create work environments worth the commute. Art + Artisans is proud to have curated over 150 artworks for the new space. This project showed us what a human-centered workplace could be. Now it’s earned a spot as one of Dallas Business Journal’s “Coolest Offices in DFW.” Read on to learn why.
Employee-Informed Office Design
Dallas Business Journal’s “Coolest Offices in DFW” series highlights workplaces that invest in offices that fuel collaboration and innovation, a mission TIAA has embraced wholeheartedly.
TIAA, or Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, is a financial services organization that manages retirement funds for educators. When they decided to consolidate two North Texas offices and another in Denver, Colorado, they invested in a new 15-story, 500,000 square-foot tower at The Star development in Frisco, Texas.
From the design phase, TIAA sought employee feedback. A survey of about 600 employees helped shape the building’s layout, furniture and amenities.
“We design a workplace that allows our associates to win the commute,” Curtis Bodison, TIAA’s
head of global corporate services, told DBJ. “Across TIAA we believe we’ve simplified a day for an associate so that our in-office culture provides you what you need, so that we can accelerate our goals around being the leader in lifetime income.”
Amenities that Meet Real Employee Needs
Understanding that today’s workforce values flexibility, TIAA operates on a hybrid model, requiring employees to be in the office three days a week. However, the company has gone beyond the basics to ensure those three days are exceptionally productive and engaging, solidifying its place as a destination workplace.
One of the company’s key strategies is to offer conveniences that minimize the need to leave the premises.
“We’ve evolved to be a firm that allows you to do many things that you might have to leave the office for right here on premise, reducing the level of friction of planning in your day,” Bodison said.
TIAA has achieved this by providing on-site health and wellness features like a medical center, a pharmacy with at-cost medications, and mental and behavioral health support. These resources not only save employees time but also underscore the company’s commitment to their well-being, a hallmark of human-centered design.
Large-scale sculptures create contemplative gardens and dynamic gathering places at TIAA’s new corporate hub in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
On-Site Health & Wellness Features
- On-site medical center with full-time doctor
- At-cost pharmacy for prescriptions & over-counter meds
- Mental health support
- State-of-the-art fitness facility
Spontaneous Interaction in a Hybrid Environment
TIAA has designed the office to encourage cross-department interaction.
Open workspaces, breakout areas, and casual meeting spots promote spontaneous collaboration and idea-sharing. Outdoor spaces, including a garden, putting green, and pickleball court, offer opportunities for relaxation and informal interactions.
In March, a food hall will open to serve as a social hub, bringing employees together over shared meals and experiences.
Amenities that Promote Collaboration
- Open workspaces, breakout areas, and casual meeting spots to promote spontaneous collaboration and idea-sharing.
- Outdoor spaces, including a garden, putting green, and pickleball court, offer opportunities for relaxation and informal interactions.
- Food hall to bring employees together over shared meals and experiences.
Original Art: A “Coolest Office” Must-Have
A particularly noteworthy aspect of TIAA’s new office, and a key factor in its “Coolest Offices” recognition, is its commitment to incorporating art into the workplace. The campus features over 150 pieces of art, much of which was curated by Art + Artisans. This initiative not only adds aesthetic appeal but also transforms the space into a dynamic and engaging environment. By strategically placing artwork throughout the office, TIAA has created a space that is both functional and inspiring, perfectly aligning with what their employees want in the hybrid era.
Art + Artisans curated over 150 pieces of original artwork for TIAA’s new corporate hub in Frisco, Texas. The space is being highlighted as one of Dallas Business Journal’s “Coolest Offices in DFW.”
Why Art is Crucial for Workplaces in the Hybrid Era:
- Elevating the in-office experience: A unique and visually stimulating environment encourages employees to come in, a critical factor for hybrid success.
- Stimulating creativity and inspiration: Exposure to art sparks new ideas, enhancing creativity and innovation, essential for a modern workplace.
- Promoting well-being: Art reduces stress and improves mood, contributing to a calming and uplifting atmosphere, a hallmark of the “Coolest Offices.”
- Creating a sense of place: Art infuses the space with character, making it feel less like a generic office and more like a vibrant community, a key characteristic of places worth the commute.
TIAA’s Human-Centered Workplace is Setting a New Standard
As companies continue to adapt to the evolving world of work, TIAA’s example serves as a valuable blueprint. The future of work isn’t about returning to the office. It’s about making the work experience easier and more joyful, which has a spillover effect on the lives of employees. TIAA’s Frisco office represents an approach to workplace design that prioritizes the needs of employees and earns its place among the “Coolest Offices in DFW.” By offering a range of human-centered amenities, fostering collaboration, and incorporating art into the environment, TIAA has created a space worth going to. One that is both functional and inspiring. It’s a workplace that doesn’t just win the commute. It transforms the entire workday.
Learn More about Why TIAA is One of the “Coolest Offices in DFW”
- TIAA fills Frisco tower shaped by employee feedback – Dallas Business Journal (Requires subscription)
- TIAA to move over 1,000 jobs, corporate office to Frisco – The Dallas Morning News
- TIAA Project Page – Art + Artisans
