How SWBR designed a people-centered, sustainable studio in downtown Rochester

For Rochester-based architecture and design firm SWBR, planning its new downtown Rochester headquarters in Sibley Square was about more than moving into a much-needed larger space. It was an opportunity for the design team to reimagine what the office could be—a living, breathing workplace that’s people-centered, healthy, collaborative, and future-ready. An inclusive design studio that embraces diverse workstyles, ignites creativity, and becomes a place where everyone wants to be.

Designing for a studio full of their fellow designers meant the expectations were sky-high. Here’s how the team rose to the challenge.

Listening to Designers Shapes a People-Centered Rochester Workplace

From the start, SWBR knew that designing a space for designers meant a process that treated every team member as a collaborator. The internal design team launched extensive surveys and discovery sessions to learn what their previous space lacked, what they needed, and exactly how people worked. This research, combined with industry benchmarks, led to flexible “We” spaces over rows of cubicles.

Online whiteboards offered employees the freedom to see, comment on, question, sketch alternate layouts, and reshape plans in real time. This open, visual exchange made the process transparent and tapped into the creative energy of the firm.

This collective employee input didn’t stop at layouts—they participated in finishes, furnishings, and the small but meaningful details that make the space feel like home, from the regionally inspired Finger Lakes moss wall to collaboration rooms named after the Finger Lakes.

The result is a living, breathing studio designed by designers, for designers—a true reflection of SWBR’s culture, values, and mission.

Collaboration Over Cubicles: A New Workplace Model in Rochester

One of the most significant outcomes of this inclusive approach was a major shift in how space was allocated. The firm’s old headquarters had a traditional layout, with most of its square footage devoted to individual workstations and private offices. The new headquarters flipped that model, prioritizing flexible, shared spaces over rows of private offices and cubicles.

While everyone still has a “home base,” more floor space is dedicated to collaboration areas, informal lounges, focus rooms, and specialty spaces like the Quiet Lab and the game room. The central café acts as a watering hole, promoting spontaneous conversation and collaboration.

This shift supports SWBR’s “One Team” culture and reflects a national trend in workplace design for architecture firms—encouraging people to move, connect, and share ideas freely. It also makes the office adaptable: work styles and teams change, but the space can evolve along with them.

Embracing Rochester’s Sibley Square and Finger Lakes Identity

A key theme that emerged from the staff surveys was a desire to feel connected to place. That insight helped guide the search for a location that offered both history and opportunity for impact.

The move to the historic Sibley Square building in downtown Rochester, N.Y.—once a bustling department store and now a symbol of reuse and revitalization—was intentional. Rather than building new, the firm repurposed vacant space, extending the life of existing materials and preserving the building’s energy. It was a design decision reflected in their commitment to sustainability, adaptive reuse, and the community’s future.

The result is a headquarters that is unmistakably rooted in the Finger Lakes and Upstate New York region. Collaboration rooms are named after local lakes, helping with wayfinding but also reminding staff of the region’s natural beauty. Visitors are greeted by a living moss wall, abstracted from the region’s geography. Rooms named for Rochester neighborhoods and SWBR’s founders honor the firm’s history and assist in wayfinding. Local photography appears throughout, enforcing the regional, natural theme, while grounding the bright, clean aesthetic, creating an inspirational work environment.

Sustainable, LEED Silver–Certified Design for a Healthier Workplace

It was imperative that their new office embody the firm’s commitment to a sustainable culture. Every aspect of the design embraced sustainability. Design elements including energy-efficient systems, healthy material selection, and diverting construction waste from landfills helped earn the office LEED Silver Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) certification. Waste management, efficient HVAC systems, and reused furniture add to the headquarters’ lighter footprint.

Supporting active commuters was also a priority. Working with the building owner, SWBR helped add secure bike storage and showers to make biking to work an easy choice—not just for its staff but also for the building’s business and apartment tenants.

The space also reflects SWBR’s belief that thoughtful design can enhance wellbeing in subtle ways, every day. Healthy material selection, biophilic design elements, and air quality systems were prioritized. Generous daylighting reaches deep into the floor plan, arranged carefully to minimize glare and overheating. Lighting was selected for glare reduction at workstations, while skylight-like fixtures were utilized in collaboration rooms without a connection to daylight. Acoustic controls and a calming, nature-inspired palette create a soothing backdrop for busy days. Living plants, outdoor views, and materials free from harmful chemicals naturally promote health and comfort.

Technology-Enabled Flexibility in SWBR’s Rochester Headquarters

Technology plays an important role in SWBR’s new headquarters, improving the firm’s design process every day. Spaces like the Computer Lab allow team members to work with advanced design programs, 3D printing, and digital models. Remote meeting technology is integrated in conference rooms and breakout areas, making it easy for clients, consultants, and team members to collaborate from anywhere. These tools enable SWBR’s team to collaborate more effectively while creating innovative design solutions.

A Showcase of SWBR’s Rochester Design Expertise

For SWBR, the new space is more than an office. It serves as a showcase of the Rochester firm’s design talent and expertise in sustainable, people-centered architecture. The studio embodies quality and creativity, with thoughtful details, flexible spaces, and inspiring environments that reflect the same high standards behind every project. Not only is the space visually and functionally inspiring, but it also nurtures collaboration while demonstrating the firm’s ability to create places that enhance how people work, promote wellness, and embody design excellence.

In the end, designing for designers was about creating a studio everyone could be proud of and inspired by. A place where good ideas happen, connections grow stronger, and the mission to positively impact lives is nurtured.