Georgia State Properties Commission

Georgia State Properties Commission project: a case study

Overview of the project and space.

The Georgia state government embarked on a transformative initiative to streamline and centralize local government agencies. In collaboration with the Georgia Building Authority and other strategic partners, they began the relocation of state government agencies from Two Peachtree, where their lease was ending, to the Twin Towers State Buildings. This intricate process demanded seamless coordination among diverse agencies to execute tasks such as construction, relocation, and furniture selection. The objective was to cater to the unique needs of each agency while ensuring a cohesive and unified aesthetic.

As of today, more than 9 government agencies have successfully transitioned to the Twin Towers State Buildings within the one year timeline set for the initiative. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to the meticulous alignment and coordination achieved among the various partners involved in this monumental project.

What was the design vision for the space?

Government projects pose a distinctive challenge, requiring a delicate balance between fostering a sense of pride among employees in their workspace and the responsible allocation of taxpayers' funds for its creation.

To design a good space for employees, the design team incorporated a mix of lounge areas and cafe furniture to facilitate space for both impromptu meetings and meals in the main lobby area.

Moving into the offices, a thoughtful blend of elements were introduced, encompassing conference rooms, hoteling desks, lounge spaces, private offices, and touchdown meeting areas. This comprehensive design caters to the diverse needs and preferences of employees, ensuring optimal functionality and a workspace tailored to their unique working styles.

What were some of the challenges the team faced and how did they overcome these challenges?

One of the largest challenges the team faced was aligning so many different agencies and partners to move across town and create an effective space in a very short time frame. Erica Seamon, Director of Facilities for the Georgia Building Authority, helped align the many different parties involved to ensure an on-time and on-budget project.

“One of the many challenges we faced was a constant changing timeline—and Styline Logistics really helped us overcome this. One example of this is the truck was already loaded and on the way for one of the floors we were going to install and we had to reroute the truck to an offsite storage location where we stored it for over a month until everything was ready. Having direct access to the logistics company made all the difference.”

- Scott Duncan, President and Co Owner of Carrollton Office Equipment Company

Erica Seamon and Scott Duncan also helped the team overcome the challenge of efficient furniture selection by creating a furniture menu for each individual agency to choose from. From there, each agency selected furniture in the colors, budget, and configurations that made sense for their team without having to navigate OFS’ entire furniture offering.

What was the team’s reaction to the completed space?

“The team’s reaction to being in the Towers has been absolutely amazing. We continue to get positive feedback on how beautiful everyone feels the space is and how much they love their beautiful furniture and how enticing it is for new potential employees to come on board. Everyone feels great now that they’re part of the Towers family.”

- Erica Seamon, Director of Facilities, Georgia Building Authority