Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)

Charlestown, MA

Environments at Work was selected to help the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) with the creation of its new company headquarters at 10 City Square in the historic Charlestown neighborhood. The organization outgrew its previous space in Beacon Hill which it occupied for 100+ years.  AMC wanted to provide a new, functional, flexible, and collaborative space to accommodate the needs of its growing staff. The solution was an open office environment that outfitted employees with ample storage and additional privacy solutions they desired.

The new, four-floor space of the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completely gutted and renovated. RODE Architects oversaw the interior building renovations. The floor layout was entirely updated to optimize natural light quality, celebrate the “bones” of the building, and highlight the character of the original building construction. The original brick walls were exposed, and details were emphasized, such as the southern yellow pine wood structure.

EAW worked with the architect and the client to provide numerous options and in-depth design consultation to fit their workflow and design aesthetic better. The team presented design solutions for the entire space including workstations, private offices, meeting rooms, shared spaces, huddle rooms, and storage – all to reflect the unique blend of workstyles in the varying departments. Additionally, the team was mindful of the products and finishes selected to keep within budget and uphold AMC’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Locally sourced products were selected from AIS, a BIFMA-certified manufacturer based in Leominster, Mass.

It was important for the AMC team to be comfortable with and heavily involved in the decision-making process for their new workspace. EAW provided product recommendations to support the architect’s vision, design renderings, and visual presentations at every step of the way to clarify and simplify the furniture selection process. This approach helped AMC visualize everything, clarify design decisions, and expedite final furniture selections and ordering. The result is a beautiful space that supports AMC’s staff and reflects its culture.