Truly Original

New York, New York

As companies grow like Truly Original, they move. When a company moves, however, they don’t often get to dictate the architecture of their desired location—instead, the design is often a response to a building’s architecture. After the merging of two media production companies, and with a new brand name under their belt, Truly Original needed a place to call home. Mancini was brought on board to design a new workspace that would consolidate and define the emerging brand. The design team worked with Truly Original to decide on a floor and a half of the newly renovated 180 Maiden Lane, a fixture on the East River waterfront in Downtown Manhattan.

Consolidating Multiple Companies into Truly Original

Centralizing operations meant that all departments like development and programming, production and post-production, business, legal, all needed to coexist. Each of these spaces come with pre-determined space requirements. Alone, Truly Original needed 56 editing studios to produce content. Mancini developed a layout that incorporates all elements within the octagonally-shaped building, providing space but also capturing the sweeping views of Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the waterfront so that they could be seen from nearly everywhere on each floor. We similarly consolidated multiple locations for A+E Networks’ new headquarters and for NBC Sports Group’s new headquarters.

Responding the Building Architecture at the New Truly Original Headquarters

Mancini responded to the architecture of the building by creating a ceiling typography that would draw the eye across the space out to the views beyond. Linear acoustical ceiling baffles are laid out diagonally to follow the planes and angles of the layout.  The pattern is juxtaposed against a painted, exposed ceiling to create a visual rhythm throughout the space. These visual rhythms pull double-duty–providing a sense of airiness while mitigating unwanted sound throughout the open workspaces. Each editing room is also soundproofed with pyramidal foam to eliminate any unwanted noise.

Bringing the Truly Original Brand to Life

The Mancini design team also chose colors and textures that reinforces Truly Original’s new brand. The main idea was to use typical materials in interesting ways to keep the space from feeling monotonous. Wood accents, glass office fronts and pops of color on walls and furnishings soften concrete floors and serve as a backdrop for unique accessories throughout the office (e.g., a crocodile head at reception or a rack of antlers in an executive office). Custom wall coverings in arresting patterns and textures are accented by pop art to create a sense of fun, emphasizing the company’s key product: entertainment.

Connecting People throughout the Space

A wood-slatted staircase connects the two floors and features seating where employees can take a break or brainstorm. An oversized island in the pantry serves as a gathering place for meals, collaboration, and recreation. Glass-fronted perimeter offices and conference rooms located along the perimeter are designed to allow light to shine through into the center of the building.