Norfolk Southern Corporation, one of the nation’s premier transportation companies, operates 20,000 route miles in 22 states, serving every major container port in the eastern United States. A company with rich railroad history, Norfolk Southern has redefined themselves as a high-tech logistics powerhouse. Their choice to expand in Atlanta became a catalyst to transform their people’s workplace experience to reflect this forward-looking positioning, energy, and culture.
IDEA|SPAN came on board to help Norfolk Southern reimagine their 12-story tower, located at the crossroads of Atlanta’s vibrant Midtown neighborhood. Their goal was a dynamic, employee focused, workplace to engage their people and reflect their innovative, expressive, high tech future. A cultural shift from hierarchical to interactive was underway. NS wanted to connect the office with field operations and it’s front-line sense of urgency: What can I to do today to serve NS’s customers and mission?
NS’s brand statement “One Line – Infinite Possibilities,” inspired IDEA|SPAN’s design of a unified workplace aligned with Norfolk Southern’s cultural and operational aspirations. Arrival at each floor opens to a high energy vibe, colorful and connected, as “the line” tracks to communal, collaborative, and work zones.
A comfortable, collegial work-life lounge, conceived as “the roundhouse,” anchors refreshment, informal gathering, and meeting rooms. An open ceiling, sleek pendant lighting and acoustical “box cars,” that hover at stand-up tables, form an active ceiling. A new take on a railway trellis, strong finish palette, and just a touch of safety yellow, combine in a lively way that references the field.
As a nod to their storied past IDEA|SPAN reinterpreted vintage photos from NS’s archives to create high impact, artistic wall graphics. Diverse activity settings, increased collaborative seats, access to privacy and leading-edge technology foster teamwork, workplace satisfaction and productivity. A holistic approach to wellness includes a fitness center, healthy food choices, ergonomic furniture, updated building mechanical systems and more.
Norfolk Southern’s new workplace- on track to move the organization full steam ahead.
