When it comes to creating the ideal employee break room, architects emphasize a blend of functionality, comfort and aesthetic appeal. According to a report by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a good break room is designed to be both a retreat and a catalyst for informal collaboration. Ergonomic furniture and a calming color palette contribute to an environment where employees can unwind and recharge effectively.
Recent trends in office space remodels have shifted from traditional cubicles and private offices to more open, flexible spaces that foster collaboration and innovation. Break rooms are no longer just about grabbing a quick coffee — they are becoming multifunctional areas designed for both relaxation and informal meetings.
The post-COVID landscape has underscored the importance of employee gathering spaces in the workplace. As companies adapt to hybrid work models, break rooms have become crucial in fostering a sense of community and collaboration. A study by the Harvard Business Review concludes that these break room spaces, which facilitate social interaction and casual networking, are vital for maintaining team cohesion and morale. In fact, 55% of workers surveyed said the physical work environment can influence whether or not they look for a new job.
A New and Better Break Room for ADA
In an effort to foster a positive and productive workplace culture, new life was breathed into the break room at Acrylic Design Associates (ADA), one of Taylor Corporation’s companies. However, rather than hire outside resources to design and build the space, we tapped the talent at ADA to do the work internally.
ADA’s own design and engineering team took the lead in designing the 2,000 square foot space. They then fabricated the fixtures and furnishings in-house, using ADA’s innovative Recrylic® recycled acrylic for many of the pieces.
Kitchen Backsplash and Panels
Using Recrylic certified recycled acrylic sheets, the panels and backsplash in the kitchen nook were routed, printed and painted on the second surface to look like subway tiles — but at a significantly lower cost.
Tabletops
Recrylic was also used for the tabletops. Translucent 1.5” sheets with a matte finish were given beveled edges and printed white underneath, providing an opalescent look at a modest cost.
Light Fixtures
A mix of Recrylic and recycled PETG was used for the styled luminaires, with the latter providing acoustical properties to help absorb sound. Energy-efficient LED lights with UL certification were also used to help meet safety standards.
3D Art
Recrylic was again used to create custom flower art on the break room’s north wall. These pieces were machined and printed (or dyed) to achieve custom colors. The pieces were then heat-formed to achieve the desired shape. Specially formulated inks ensured that they didn’t crack or chip upon heating or bending, resulting in a museum-quality look.
Wall Graphic
For the 25-foot south wall, a large-format graphic was installed. A north woods photo was chosen and printed in ultra-high resolution on recyclable SEG fabric.
The front of the room includes several signature items, including:
- A white board using Recrylic and treated with a dry-erase additive.
- A foliage wall incorporating fineline™ frames, providing the thinnest possible profile for borderless frames.
- A header and clock that fades in and out on a timed cycle.
- An LED sign reading “We do awesome.”
The Result: A Chic Employee Gathering Space
A stunning break room was created through the efforts of the Taylor team at ADA. Gone are the days of gray walls and stale coffee — this attractive, modern break room serves as a multifunctional hub that’s designed to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.
It’s also important to emphasize that many of the materials utilized were both recycled and recyclable. Recrylic is the world’s only line of certified recycled acrylic and helps to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% across a wide range of fixtures, displays and signs.
ADA’s new break room proves that function, aesthetics, affordability and a heightened focus on sustainability can all be achieved at the same time. By working with Taylor and our signs and graphics experts at ADA, architects and designers can leverage similar techniques for a wide range of solutions including retail stores, restaurants and hotels, public spaces, hospitals, corporate offices and more.
Contact your Taylor representative to learn more about Taylor’s expertise with signs, graphics and visual merchandising strategies.
