Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) has operated from its headquarters since the mid-1980s. As workplace expectations and technology evolved, the organization saw a need to update and expand its space to better support how staff work today while preparing for future growth.
Client
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative
Location
Henrico County, Virginia
Services
Architecture, Interior Design
CPL’s Community & Culture Practice team partnered with ODEC to guide that transition, beginning with a series of visioning sessions to understand staff priorities, workplace challenges and long-term goals. These conversations shaped a planning strategy focused on balancing the organization’s established culture with new ways of working.
The resulting design introduces a wider range of meeting environments to support both formal and informal collaboration, addressing a key need identified during stakeholder discussions.
While private offices remain an important part of ODEC’s workplace culture, the use of glass partitions allows natural light to extend deeper into the floor plate, improving visibility and creating a more connected environment across teams.
Shared spaces were also rethought to strengthen day-to-day interaction. An open break area functions as both a gathering space and an informal meeting zone, supporting collaboration outside of scheduled meetings and reinforcing a sense of community within the workplace.
Technology integration and updated furnishings further support evolving work patterns, enabling staff to work more efficiently and adapt to changing operational needs.
For ODEC employees, the updated environment provides greater access to light, more choice in how and where work happens, and improved opportunities for connection across departments. The project positions the cooperative to support its workforce more effectively—aligning the workplace with both current operations and future expectations.
