Earl Everett Ferguson Architect

New York City/Irvington, New York

'Having a beautiful open space to work allows for increased collaboration and creative thinking. employees can connect with each other, and as a result, the product is better.' ' Eileen Fisher

Launching her apparel line in 1984 with $350 and a degree in home economics, Eileen Fisher started small. But her modest beginnings belie the power of her brand — a line of elegant, comfortable clothing sewn with natural materials that has resonated with America’s professional women. As she does with her clothing, Fisher brings a holistic sensibility to the workplace, fostering people-centric environments in her Irvington, New York, headquarters north of New York City, and her Manhattan design studio/showroom, or Creative Center.

To achieve her goals, Fisher tapped Irvington-based Earl Everett Ferguson Architect to create sustainable facilities for both locations. The architects — who also designed Fisher’s home and some of her stores — incorporated eco-sensitive materials, daylighting strategies, and energy-efficient systems, deftly adapting older structures. They expanded the Creative Center from 20,000 to 43,000 square feet by relocating it to three floors of a historic department store on lower Fifth Avenue — maintaining the open quality of the space with high ceilings and glass-enclosed meeting rooms. For Fisher’s Irvington headquarters, the design team updated the company’s existing offices in a former Lord & Burnham greenhouse factory, expanding it by 19,000 square feet into a light-infused, loftlike adjacent space in sync with its city counterpart.

Design principal Earl Ferguson’s strategies support the company’s operational recycling program and energy-saving policies, observed by all employees. He also programmed spaces for wellness activities and impromptu gatherings within work areas. “Department leaders and managers are located adjacent to each other, with their teams surrounding them in peripheral areas,” says Ferguson. “This fosters creative collaboration, and affords natural light and views for more than 90 percent of occupants.” According to the company, the design contributes to a sense of health and well-being among staff, evidenced by the turnover rate of 8 percent, much lower than the industry average.

By 2010 Eileen Fisher had grown to 900 employees, generating over $300 million in sales. Today the company ranks among the best medium-sized companies to work for, according to the Great Place to Work Institute. Fisher aims to foster a workplace dedicated to nurturing employees and reflecting holistic sensibilities. Ferguson’s design supports that directive with ease and simplicity. 

Architect:
Earl Everett Ferguson Architect, PLLC 
One Bridge Street
Irvington, NY 10533
(P) 914-591-5066
(F) 914-591-5031

Location:
Eileen Fisher Corporate Headquarters - 2 Bridge Street, Irvington, NY 
Eileen Fisher Creative Center: - 111 5th Ave, New York, NY

Total construction cost: $15 million

Completion Date:
October 2007 – December 2008

Gross square footage:
Corporate Headquarters: 40,000 sq.ft.
Creative Center:  43,000 sq.ft.

People

Client: Eileen Fisher, Inc.

Architect
Earl Everett Ferguson Architect, PLLC 
One Bridge Street
Irvington, NY  10533
(P) 914-591-5066
(F) 914-591-5031

Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit:
Principal in charge: Earl Everett Ferguson, RA, AIA, LEED AP;

Project Team: John M. Malone, RA, AIA, LEED AP; Michael K. Ryan, Aliexsa Dawkins, Washington Molina

Architect of record
Corporate Headquarters: Earl Everett Ferguson Architect, PLLC
Creative Center Phase I (Design Studio): Earl Everett Ferguson Architect, PLLC
Creative Center Phase II (Showroom): TPG Architecture, in collaboration with Earl Everett Ferguson PLLC, Design Architect

Interior designer
Earl Everett Ferguson Architect, PLLC in collaboration with Eileen Fisher Inc Department of Architecture, Planning and Design

Engineer(s)
Structural Engineer:
Dunne & Markis Consulting Structural Engineers, PLLC

Mechanical Engineer:
Corporate Headquarters - Antonucci & Associates Architects & Engineers, LLP
Creative Center - Gabor M. Szakal Consulting Engineers, P.C.

Consultant(s)
Lighting:
Corporate Headquarters & Creative Center Phase I (Design Studio) - Cooley Monato Studios

Creative Center Phase II (Showroom) –Mood LLC Lighting Design

General contractor
Corporate Headquarters: GTL Construction, LLC
Creative Center: Envirochrome Interiors, Inc.

Photographer(s)
Corporate Headquarters: Earl Everett Ferguson Architect, PLLC    914-591-5066
Creative Center Phase II (Showroom): Earl Everett Ferguson Architect, PLLC   914-591-5066
Pam Jacobs, TPG Architecture   212-768-0800

CAD system, project management, or other software used:
Auto CAD

 

Products

Glazing
Insulated-panel or plastic glazing / skylights:
Corporate Headquarters:  Duo-Gard Cellular Polycarbonate Panels

Doors
Entrances:
Dejah Industries

Metal doors:
TNA Architectural Products Inc.
Dejah Industries           

Wood doors:
Corporate Headquarters:  Midwood Doors & Millwork Inc., Fontrick Door Inc.

Creative Center: LEB Millworks LLC   

Hardware
Locksets:
Schlage
FSB USA

Closers:
LCN, Rixson

Pulls:
FSB USA

Other special hardware:
Hafele, Rixson

Interior finishes
Acoustical ceilings:
Armstrong World Industries

Suspension grid:
Armstrong World Industries

Cabinetwork and custom woodwork:
Corporate Headquarters: Southern Architectural Woodwork

Creative Center: LEB Millworks LLC, Dejah Industries

Architectural metal:
Dejah Industries

Interior glass:
Bendheim

Paints and stains:
Ralph Lauren
Benjamin Moore
Surface Interiors

Custom Wood Paneling:
LEB Millworks LLC

Plastic laminate:
Formica

Solid surfacing:
Ceasarstone, Corian

Special surfacing:

Floor and wall tile:
Corporate Headquarters:
Floors - ASI Flooring, American Olean  
Walls - Walker Zanger, Quarry Tile Company

Creative Center:           
Floors - Ann Sacks
             
Resilient flooring:
Corporate Headquarters: Wicanders, Maxxon Corporation

Creative Center: Forbo

Carpet:
Corporate Headquarters: Design Materials Inc.

Creative Center: Unique Carpets LTD.

Special interior finishes unique to this project:
Reclaimed wood flooring:
Pioneer Millwork

Furnishings
Reception furniture:
Room & Board

Chairs:
Teknion, Stylex, Room & Board, Crate & Barrel

Tables:
Room & Board, Gibraltar Furniture

File Cabinets:
Herman Miller

Lighting
Interior ambient lighting:
Corporate Headquarters: Belfer, Elliptipar, Zumtobel Staff, Holophane, Metalux, Lightolier, Juno

Creative Center: Juno, Corelite, Belfer, Lightolier, Delray Lighting

Downlights:
Corporate Headquarters: Edison Price, Halo
Creative Center: Edison Price

Task lighting:
Corporate Headquarters: Alko, Litecontrol

Creative Center: Alkco

Dimming System or other lighting controls:
Corporate Headquarters: Sensor Switch, Inc.

Creative Center: Lutron

Conveyance
Elevators/Escalators:
Corporate Headquarters: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas

Plumbing
Corporate Headquarters: Kohler, Toto, Sloan, Elkay, Franke, Advance Tabco, Krowne, Florestone,
American Standard

Creative Center: Kohler, Dornbracht, Duravit

Energy
Energy management or building automation system:
Corporate Headquarters: Trane Summit System

Other unique products that contribute to sustainability:
Corporate Headquarters:  Polished Concrete Flooring