CPL’s location in Charlotte, NC, is the living embodiment of co-creation and teamwork.
Defined by soothing natural light, splashes of vibrant color, thriving plant life and rearrangeable workstations, the charming office was intentionally envisioned to promote adaptability and bolster warm interpersonal connections between team members.
The contemporary kitchen, noted for its sophisticated navy walls and modern accoutrements, serves dually as a conference room for team meetings and design charrettes, with moveable wheeled chairs and tables that enable teams to quickly reconfigure the space as needed. Likewise, the primary studio (dubbed the “newsroom”) features open desks with low partitions that encourage seamless interactions between the team.
“Our layout fosters casual conversation, resulting in a highly collaborative and inclusive office culture,” Architect, Robin Washco, AIA, NCARB said. “The streamlined communication increases productivity and gives way to more inspired project outcomes.”
Situated in Charlotte’s upscale SouthPark business district, the office is minutes away from the largest shopping center in the Carolinas, the SouthPark Mall, providing team members with a host of stores, restaurants, and entertainment destinations (including Paco’s Tacos and Tequila, The Cowfish, and Legion Brewing) to explore and indulge in after work. The stunning grounds of the historic Morrocroft Manor estate are also just around the corner, and nearby Symphony Park, famous for its Summer Pops concerts, hosts free events throughout the year.
Recognizing the positive impact that strong coworker relationships can have on firm-wide projects, CPL Charlotte’s leadership team takes advantage of the office’s central location to host non-traditional group hangouts, both during lunch and outside of work hours. The occasional team “field day” might entail exploring the outdoors at the National Whitewater Center, honing their golf skills at Topgolf, or go-karting with the neighboring Greensboro office.
Moreover, it isn’t unusual to see team members gathering for monthly book club meetings or attending holiday and Super Bowl parties together. Athletically-inclined team members also compete with rival firms in the city’s A/E/C volleyball league during the spring and summer seasons, and others partake in CPL Charlotte’s “Womentoring” program, which provides emerging female professionals with expert resources and guidance.
Pictured left to right: Team members engage in some team building at Topgolf, while the office’s volleyball team compete in the city’s A/E/C league.
“Our leadership team is extremely supportive; they strive to ensure everyone feels heard and engaged, and they’re constantly exposing us to robust developmental opportunities,” said Interior Designer, Molly Livingstone, NCIDQ, LEED AP. “From tackling diverse projects to attending professional workshops, we’re encouraged to pave our own unique career paths by branching out and trying new things.”
Work-wise, the CPL Charlotte team applies their collective expertise toward brainstorming transformative design solutions for a wide range of healthcare and community assignments across North Carolina and beyond. Recent projects include the FirstHealth Cancer Center in Pinehurst, NC, which will be completed in December 2022; the Belmont Community Recreation Center in Belmont, NC; and the Jonas Hill Hospital and Behavioral Health Clinic in Lenoir, NC.
“Whether we’re enhancing the patient care experience, creating state-of-the-art facilities for people suffering from mental health or substance abuse challenges, or creating spaces that enrich our communities, we extend our fellowship beyond the office to increase quality of life across the board,” said Adam Chahulski, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Principal and North Carolina Healthcare Practice Leader. “Our team approaches every task from a place of genuine care and concern – and that mindset is carried through in all of our projects.”
