A New Orleans-based builder turns a dilapidated office building into its new headquarters
In the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, RNGD LLC, a construction and modular fabrication company, has completed a $25 million adaptive reuse project that turned a derelict office building into the company’s new headquarters.
The 58,392-sf HQ serves as the centerpiece of a campus that also includes a materials warehouse and an adjacent prefabrication facility, supporting each phase of the company’s design-build process.
As both client and builder, RNGD managed the construction and fabricated the custom façade elements and structural components all on the same site. Made just steps from installation, the high-performance, prefabricated metal panel system replaced about 90% of the building’s original façade.
By placing design, production, and execution on one site, RNGD reduced construction time as well as material waste and costs, while also improving jobsite efficiency and safety.
With EskewDumezRipple as the design lead, the new HQ avoids private offices, instead embracing transparency and collaboration. For example, a glass-walled meeting area hovers above the central workspace and beside the central stair.
The various workplaces, which include open-plan seating, enclosed meeting rooms, and quiet focus areas, allow employees to choose how and where they work. Every desk has access to natural light.
The building entry leads from a landscaped courtyard to a double-height atrium that fills the space with light. From this central area, the administrative and workforce development wings form two distinct yet connected components, encouraging collaboration across roles.
A café and bar area serves as a social hub and meeting place and offers bar, booth, and café table seating. The building provides lounge areas and flexible furniture groupings. And a central auditorium can be used for company-wide gatherings and workforce development programs.
Prioritizing sustainability, the project includes passive design strategies, high-performance building systems, and locally sourced materials, in addition to energy-efficient LED lighting and an efficient HVAC system.
On the project team: RNGD LLC (owner and contractor), EskewDumezRipple (architect, interior designer), Marais Consultants (civil engineer), Batture LLC (structural engineer), Salas O’Brien (mechanical engineer), Pontchartrain MEP (electrical and plumbing engineer).
