Innovation lab makes developing eye care solutions a collaborative affair

VSP Global, a company focused on developing innovative technologies for the physical and digital aspects of eyewear and eyecare, has recently moved into its new location in New York City. The Shop East innovation lab presents 13,500 sf of workspace across two floors with an emphasis on collaboration.

The main work area provides breakout, team-focused spaces adjacent to open desks to support social and small-group work interactions. Extensive felt wall space allows for displaying and exchanging ideas and information. The lab includes two technology areas: The Color Library and The Toaster.

The Color Library uses overhead lighting that can be customized to help users best understand how the product they are working on will look in the context of daylight, retail light, and stadium light.

The Toaster, which is identified by a glass pocket door shaped like a piece of bread, houses the Rapid Prototype Machine Room, a small maker space. The office also includes two executive offices, three conference rooms, and two break rooms.

Kostow Greenwood Architects was the architect for the project.

@Studio Brooke

The Harvard studies on the unintended effects of open office defines it as space where 'one entire floor was open, transparent and boundaryless… [with] assigned seats,' and the other had 'similarly assigned seats in an open office design, with large rooms of desks and monitors and no dividers between people's desks.'