On July 24th, work was completed on a major office renovation that involved the reintegration of AACRAO's International Education Services (IES) into the main office. Staff members celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that capped off two years of effort to optimize space at One Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington, D.C.
Two and a half years ago, the IES Department moved to a separate, windowless basement suite to accommodate their personnel and extensive filing needs. Some of our staff occupied offices that probably used to house coats in the winter," said Dale Gough, the Director of AACRAO IES. "We needed more room in order to grow.┬"
These concerns became driving factors in the early stages of the design process, and the completed project has successfully met that concern, in addition to other functional criteria. The renovated space has a reception area for our walk-in clients and an amply-sized, open workspace for the employees. And windows,┬" Gough added.
Following IES's move to the separate suite in 2011, the main conference room was redesigned to look more modern and functional. The rest of the office was updated in the same fashion under the supervision of the operations manager for the project, Martha Henebry, Director of Membership and Publications.
The main goals we had in mind were increased interaction, flexibility, and cost-saving," Henebry said. "The new office incorporates robust office and space sharing options so that we can handle association growth more easily.┬" Some of the changes include eliminating high wall-dividers between cubicles to encourage open communication throughout the office, and a number of aesthetic features that fully integrate all the different departments. Now the entire office has a consolidated look “ it is more welcoming and professional,┬" added AACRAO Executive Director Mike Reilly.
Aside from the desire to increase the overall organizational strength of the national office, cost-saving was a major factor for the project. This consolidation will reduce our rent by more than $5,000 a month,┬" said Reilly. Those monthly savings will recoup the costs of the renovation in less than two years.┬"
The staff at the national office is pleased that IES is back upstairs in a space designed to facilitate the vital work they conduct on behalf of the organization. Mike Reilly and the rest of us would be even happier, however, to have AACRAO members come and see the office for themselves.
Drop us a line and let us know you are coming," Reilly said. "The coffee's on us!┬"