CD Baby

Portland, Oregon

How do we craft a workplace that reinforces the culture and identity of a company?

Colorfully lit office hallway, showing people working at bistro-style tables, and one woman walking past another seated woman, saying hello

In 2017 the FFA Interiors Team was hired by CD Baby, a nationally-recognized Digital Music Distributor, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, to design a workplace which would communicate the company’s personality, brand and vision for their organization.The space the client had leased was significantly larger than their former office, but lacked character and presented the additional challenge of two non-contiguous office suites on the first and second floors of the building.

Based on an in-depth discovery process and long-term partnership with the company’s stakeholders, the design team crafted a space that met both a variety of office and music industry needs while minimizing cost. Their need to occupy part of two floors in the building without an internal stair or elevator, created several design and programmatic opportunities to re-think ways to intentionally build-in connectivity for staff.

The design team was able to accommodate this both visually and physically so that the experience of the separate suites is cohesive. Strategically placed at the main tenant entry and gathering spaces, FFA designed a wood feature that sets the tone for a dynamic environment that is uniquely CD Baby.

Year Completed:
2018
Size:
16,000 sf
Project Contact:
Richard Grace, AIA, NOMA
Partner, Market Lead

CUSTOM WOOD FEATURE

The most significant architectural features of the space, the custom wood wall and ceiling elements, were designed based on the undulations of sound waves. This concept was inspired by CD Baby’s work and is a key element that speaks to their identity and culture. Strategically placed at the main tenant entry and gathering spaces, the wood features set the tone for a dynamic environment that is uniquely CD Baby.

Rough sketch of a wooden wall detail with cells resembling a honeycomb pattern
Wood Feature Sketch
Three women sitting in a working upholstered "booth" drinking coffee and chatting
Open Office Meeting Space
Podcast booth with bright green felt background shows one woman behind a microphone with a microphone and headset on, laughing with another woman who is playing the guitar
Podcast Room
People sitting on sofas in an open office space chatting, playing the guitar, and working at a laptop
Collaborative Space
Open lobby with concrete floors, a coffee bar, bistro-style working tables and a conference room in the background
Main Lobby with Wood Feature
Watercolor sketch/rendering of a creative office space
Early Concept Sketch

View from inside breakroom, showing long tables, a counter with galley kitchen, and people outside in the hallway, working at bistro-style tables
Break Room