Reverb HQ, USA

Reverb, the largest online marketplace for musical instruments, was keen to create an office that reflects their unique, creative brand.  Their new location, a repurposing of an historic Morton Salt building, embraces the character and legacy of the historic loft space.

Each area is designed to be warm, welcoming, and relate to Reverb’s relationship with music. Materials, shapes, and textures were carefully considered to support their brand, while creating inviting, hospitality-like spaces for their staff and visitors.

The wood entry portal is accentuated by a trio of round, glowing sconces.  The reception area beyond features an array of round pendants that define the area and create harmony below the existing open ceiling conditions.  Small, cylinder downlights virtually disappear between pendants and boost illumination levels in the space.

Adjacent to reception is a raised collaboration space that features meeting, lounging, and listening areas.  Suspended, cost-effective track fixtures highlight their record collection and provide flexibility should furniture be moved to host large gatherings.

Each conference room has a unique design aesthetic. Linear fixtures wash walls and highlight instruments, creating a backdrop that can be seen through the floor-to-ceiling glazing.  Recessed downlights in a bespoke ceiling are painted to match. Feature pendants that can be tilted and repositioned draw focus to the table while providing task lighting. Dimming controls provide multiple presets for the various needs of each meeting space.

In open office areas, linear wallwashers illuminate pilasters between windows to decrease contrast between daylight and electric light, and to improve visual comfort throughout the day. Custom tube pendants provide soft, direct/indirect lighting and feature a unique offset mounting stem supported by a counterweight.

Beyond the open office area is a double-height gathering space that features lounge areas, a bar, and a raised stage. Decorative pendants suspended above seating niches create intimate pockets for collaboration, and are flanked by chrome, mid-century modern inspired table lamps. Well-shielded linear grazers reveal the texture of the gold curtain behind the stage. Dual circuited trackheads provide front light for the stage, as well as general downlight illumination.

Guests travel from the mezzanine to the lower gathering area through a staircase hidden behind the bar. Linear grazers accentuate the texture and warmth of the 20-foot-tall brick wall. A continuous, illuminated pocket in the gypsum wall illuminates the handrail.

A recording studio and practice rooms are below the mezzanine. Linear wallslots illuminate acoustical tile walls and provide vertical illumination for reading music and playing instruments.

The focal point of the gathering space is the “whammy bar”, featuring an array of fixtures – reminiscent of tube amplifiers – that serve as a backdrop.  A chrome pendant mimics the shape of the bar top, while the front of the bar is accented by a linear accent light concealed below the countertop to highlight its form.

Reverb’s new space reflects who they are, and delivers a fun, creative environment for their team. The lighting, designed on a modest budget, supports the company’s culture of bringing people together through a shared passion for music.