Horizon Media, the largest privately held media company in the country, needed a drastic change to their office space due to immense growth. Situated on 9 different floors of inherited space, in 3 different buildings in midtown up to 10 blocks apart.

a+i‘s work with horizon began with an intensive programming phase, concurrent with the real estate search, which concluded with the determination that moving downtown was both the right real estate and cultural move for the company. An old printing building, 75 Varick street has 360 views, light, high ceilings, and beautiful existing concrete structure that could not be found in midtown. The company’s growing new media focus required the company to present an innovative face to both clients and prospective talent alike. Photography: Magda Biernat
Opening the 3 floors with an internal open stair was the most important move in literally connecting the company. Because both flights of stairs are configured in a straight run, from the 16th reception one can see all the way to the 14th-floor social space, so visitors and employees get an immediate sense of the working environment of the company, not just the usual reception and boardroom. To democratize the space and to encourage employee circulation through areas outside of their department, important functions are located throughout the 3 floors. Reception and executive suite are on the 16th floor, the glass presentation room on the 15th floor is visible to all f...