Known for its “job seeker first” approach to hiring, Indeed’s new Austin office follows suit for its own employees. Occupying the top 10 levels of the Indeed Tower, the workplace conveys a sense of openness that is both physical and symbolic. Designed by Perkins&Will, the space offers employees a rich tapestry of amenities and workspaces.
Flexibility
Imagine walking into a sunny lobby on the 35th floor, floating above downtown Austin. Generous floor-to-ceiling windows share views of the nearby Texas State Capitol and the expansive Colorado River. The two-story reception area is wrapped in blonde wood and plush seating for an immediate sense of warmth. It is a first impression that’s as professional and charismatic as any job candidate.
Indeed fully leverages the upper floors for social experiences. These include a staffed coffee counter, furnished mezzanine, and a full cafeteria. The rest of the levels are primarily dedicated to work zones. With an average floor plate of 34,000 square feet, there is an ample mix of open areas and multifunctional rooms. Indeed has embraced agility-based work with a reservation system for hoteling. These are accompanied by plentiful touchdown areas, kitchen counters, and lounge seating on each floor.
“Indeed’s office is truly a ‘choose your own adventure,’” says Lina Murillo, associate principal for Perkins&Will. “By offering flexibility for different work styles, the space is a tool to develop yourself and your career.”
Biophilia
Access to the natural world is a fundamental thread unifying the space. Developed and owned by Kilroy, the Indeed Tower has a landscaped park at its base. One of the 10 terraces is located within Indeed’s office levels. The exterior connection is further highlighted by the 10-foot-high vision glass. All workstations are placed on the perimeter to take advantage of daylighting.
“Because Indeed has vertical circulation, color coding is both biophilia and wayfinding,” Murillo emphasizes. “Each stairwell has its own distinct color, which is repeated across that level in kitchens, graphics, accent walls, and upholstery.”
Since biophilic design is multisensory, special attention was paid to sound-absorbing materials. For example, wood paneling near interview rooms isn’t merely an architectural flourish—it’s a way to soften echoes. The light fixtures over conference tables also have acoustic properties.
Wellbeing
Employee health and centeredness are focal points. Even though the building has its own community fitness club, Indeed included additional exercise options within their office footprint. The gym is paired with dedicated changing rooms, restrooms, and showers. Separate yoga classrooms further encourage movement.
The stairs are also a feature of active design. Rather than a means of emergency egress hidden behind doors, these open stairs are integrated into the office itself. Each one is located on the exterior near window banks; the bright wall colors offer visual enticement as well. The stairs are adjacent to kitchenettes, further signaling their communal nature.
“Creativity and team building are core Indeed tenets that are expressed as employee amenities. In addition to areas with tabletop games, there’s a video game room with stadium-style seating and large screens. There’s also a music room with band equipment,” Murillo notes. “Indeed truly puts the human experience at the center of this office.”
Resiliency
How does a company serve the needs of today’s workforce while futureproofing against unknown shifts? One place to start is sustainability benchmarks like LEED Interiors. This helped fuel decisions like reusing 30% of furniture from the previous office, procuring 100% carbon offsets, and optimizing IEQ. Materials transparency was also a top initiative.
“We want to bring the best of the best into the building,” Murillo explains. “Perkins&Will carefully vets materials regardless of certification. We use an internal measure to track that along with tools like EPDs and products that disclose their ingredient list.”
Reconfigurability is another key strategy. Because the majority of the office is an open floor plan, it can be easily modified down the road. Demountable partitions are currently configured as meeting rooms but could be adapted into an open space for hot desking or collaborative areas. Thanks to HVAC zoning, the overhead mechanicals have already been designed for either arrangement.
“Indeed is a proponent of innovative work, so this space flexibility allows them to try what’s new and different,” says Murillo.
