Starting with a Site
Our first step in creating the new campus was developing a master plan with ample parking, smart stormwater management, and phases spread evenly across the site. We ultimately placed the buildings in areas that took advantage of the natural topography and eliminated the majority of soil waste. The site’s existing hills and tree groves allowed us to frame the visitor entrance and create a natural amphitheater, which can be used by employees and visitors alike.
Flexible and Adaptable
The first phase of the master plan encompasses a new 204,000-square-foot, six-story corporate headquarters and a 15,000-square-foot employee/customer lobby connector that will consolidate the company’s dispersed offices into a singular location. We set out to create an inspired new headquarters for Ramsey Solutions that provides maximum flexibility for both current and future growth and allows departments to expand as needed. More than 1,000 team members will work from this larger, more accommodating office space.
A New Space for the Ramsey Solutions’ Team and Their Guests
The new headquarters’ design features two broadcast studios, one of which is used exclusively for “The Dave Ramsey Show” as well as a Studio B for The Ken Coleman Show, The Chris Hogan Show and other programming. We’ve also created a green room and viewing areas for guests that will allow audience members to participate in the show. In addition, there are new studios for Ramsey’s growing library of video and audio shows, podcasts and webinars.
Getting All Hands on Deck
A key challenge for our design team was creating a large communal space for all-hands meetings that could seat 1,000 people and be reconfigured for dining space during the lunch hour. Our team worked together to create a large two-story space that meets this requirement while also functioning as the main entrance for both Ramsey Solutions’ team members on Level 1 and radio show visitors and guests on Level 2.
Defining a New Workplace
We interviewed Ramsey Solutions’ team members from every department to garner a clear understanding of how they worked, the challenges they were experiencing with their current workspace, and the changes they would like to see in their future workspace. Based on this vital feedback, our team developed an open floor plan that features access to daylight, open workstations that can accommodate more than 1,000 employees, and numerous indoor and outdoor spaces for team gatherings, lunches and devotionals.
Embracing the Company Spirit
The new Ramsey Solutions headquarters not only facilitates collaboration, growth and flexibility, but also serves as a new home office for a message of hope that embraces the company DNA for all users of the building—from team members and corporate clients to Fortune 500 companies, church groups and fans alike. Signage and branding elements throughout the campus and buildings create a powerful and positive statement in support of Ramsey Solutions’ mission.
Design of Phase 2 of the project, which includes another office building totaling approximately 192,000 square feet, is now underway. Future phases include additional office space and a 50,000-square-foot conference center.
More Room for Books & Coffee
To provide the extra space needed for these important guest amenities, the design situates the bookstore and café inside a second-floor connector and directly behind the main reception desk, placing them front and center as visitors enter the building.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
To help illustrate the development of the design, our team utilized 3D imagery. We also created a virtual reality (VR) presentation to help bring the architecture to life and give the client a more immersive experience of their new space.