Corporate Headquarters Renovation

SSOE came on board to help Norfolk Southern reimagine their 12-story tower, located at the crossroads of Atlanta’s vibrant Midtown neighborhood. Their goal was a dynamic, employee-focused, workplace to engage their people and reflect their innovative, expressive, high-tech future. Norfolk Southern wanted to connect the office with field operations and it’s frontline
sense of urgency.

Norfolk Southern’s brand statement “One Line – Infinite Possibilities,” inspired our design of a unified workplace aligned with the company’s cultural and operational aspirations. Arrival at each floor opens to a high energy, colorful, and connected vibe, as “the line” tracks to communal, collaborative, and individual work zones.

A comfortable, collegial work-life lounge, conceived as “The Roundhouse,” anchors refreshment, informal gathering, and meeting rooms. An open ceiling, sleek pendant lighting and acoustical “box cars,” that hover at standup tables, form an active ceiling. A new take on a railway trellis, strong finish palette, and just a touch of safety yellow, combine in a lively way that brings the field into the office.

As a nod to their storied past, SSOE reinterpreted vintage photos from Norfolk Southern’s archives to create high-impact, artistic wall graphics. A holistic approach to wellness includes a fitness center, healthy food choices, ergonomic furniture, updated building mechanical systems and more. Diverse activity settings, increased collaborative seats, access to privacy, and leading-edge technology foster teamwork, workplace satisfaction, and productivity.