EIG Global Energy Partners

Seeking a new home that would provide a unique experience, EIG relocated to the iconic Watergate Complex in Southwest Washington, DC, leasing the upper two floors of the historic building. With the structure’s age came imperfect floor plans that did not accurately reflect the actual details of the floor plate. Additionally, with nothing being rectilinear in the entire building and a special embrace of the organic design elements by the architect, the project became a major collaboration between all parties to ensure a successful outcome. The principal manufacturer for the private and open offices, IOC, was new to the DC market and based in Italy. The project required a significant amount of coordination between Gensler, HITT and MOI, with regular on-site meetings as the project was essentially a design-build effort, driven by the furniture specs due to the complicated building features, the lead time of an overseas manufacturer, and an accelerated project schedule.

A partnership with Gensler from the onset laid the groundwork and allowed MOI to build a strong relationship with IOC. This ensured that MOI’s resources and communication with local parties supported the manufacturing processes in Italy. MOI’s designer was instrumental in the success of the project, bringing a clear understanding of Gensler’s design intent to the development of the IOC furniture typicals and facilitating direct communication with HITT and MOI’s project managers, ensuring the build-out process was well-orchestrated to support the customized furniture solutions selected by the client. In the end, the entire project shines with a uniqueness that is befitting the Watergate building and that delivers on the client’s objectives for their new space.