See how Rapt Studio created a place for work, play and creative exploration for Vans' 500+ employees.

Vans is one of those companies that needs no introduction. Founded over 50 years ago by the Van Doren brothers, the brand has become an iconic name beyond just the California skate culture. When it came time for the company to settle into its new Costa Mesa, California headquarters, Vans reached out to Rapt Studio to celebrate the four pillars of the Vans brand: Art, Music, Action Sports, and Street Culture and Fashion. Earlier last year we toured the HQ (you might have followed along on @designmilk’s IG Stories) and it is officially the coolest office we’ve ever seen. Take a look…

From Rapt Studio, David Galullo (Creative Director), Derrick Prodigalidad (Team Lead), Rosela Barraza (Designer), Keith Muller (Architect) and Scott Johnson (Architect) took point on transforming the 182,000 square feet headquarters into a place of work, play and creative exploration for Vans’ 500+ employees. The building is centered around a courtyard with a Vans red staircase linking all of the different groups within the company. It was very important that the new space had areas that accommodated and encouraged collaboration but also gave employees the ability to focus when needed. In fact, if everyone in the company left their desk, there would be enough space for each person to work remotely inside and outside the building.

There were three must-haves th...