Completed: 2025
Location: Coraopolis, PA
Scope: Furniture
Architect: NEXT architecture
Tobii Dynavox, a global leader in assistive communication technology, relocated its only U.S. office to Coraopolis, PA. The move created an opportunity to rethink how their workplace supported collaboration and long-term growth.
Franklin partnered closely with NEXT Architecture from early planning through installation to align furniture strategy with the overall workplace vision.
Location: Coraopolis, PA
Scope: Furniture
Architect: NEXT architecture
Tobii Dynavox, a global leader in assistive communication technology, relocated its only U.S. office to Coraopolis, PA. The move created an opportunity to rethink how their workplace supported collaboration and long-term growth.
Franklin partnered closely with NEXT Architecture from early planning through installation to align furniture strategy with the overall workplace vision.
The Challenge:
Creating a Workplace Employees Wanted To Return To
As Tobii Dynavox prepared to relocate, the goal extended beyond reconfiguring workstations. The new office needed to feel purposeful and compelling enough to draw employees back in while supporting a hybrid schedule.
Not every employee is in the office each day, which required a thoughtful transition from 6x6 assigned workstations to hoteling and benching configurations. Leadership needed clarity around how many workstations were truly required and how the space would perform on the busiest days in the office. At the same time, the workplace needed to support a range of work modes and seating preferences, ensuring comfort and inclusivity across different tasks and body types.
Located near the airport, the workplace also needed to accommodate frequent travel. The design had to support luggage, touchdown spaces, and secure lockers for employees and visitors moving in and out throughout the week.
Not every employee is in the office each day, which required a thoughtful transition from 6x6 assigned workstations to hoteling and benching configurations. Leadership needed clarity around how many workstations were truly required and how the space would perform on the busiest days in the office. At the same time, the workplace needed to support a range of work modes and seating preferences, ensuring comfort and inclusivity across different tasks and body types.
Located near the airport, the workplace also needed to accommodate frequent travel. The design had to support luggage, touchdown spaces, and secure lockers for employees and visitors moving in and out throughout the week.
The Solution:
Bringing Teams Together on One Floor with Enhanced Amenities
Franklin and NEXT architecture guided the team through planning across workstations, private offices, conference rooms, meeting spaces, and a centrally located work café, consolidating operations onto a single floor to strengthen visibility and connection.
The teams worked extensively with Tobii Dynavox on test fits to model future functionality. By exploring multiple layout scenarios and walking through real occupancy questions such as “How many people are in the office on a Monday?” and “What is the busiest day of the week?”, the team established an appropriate desk-to-person ratio under hybrid conditions. This ensured the space was right-sized for daily performance without allocating unnecessary square footage.
The design prioritized diverse work modes and seating postures. A variety of seating solutions were selected to support different body types, task needs, and preferences, reinforcing a “seat for every body” philosophy. Spaces were intentionally designed to support focus, collaboration, informal interaction, and movement within a flexible environment.
To further support long-term adaptability, the team incorporated Steelcase’s Eco Lease program for ancillary furniture. Aligned with Stockholm-based leadership’s commitment to circular economy principles, the program provides structured end-of-use options including renewal, return, resale, donation, or recycling. During the first three years, ancillary pieces can be returned and replaced every six months, allowing the workplace to evolve alongside real-world usage while supporting responsible asset management and capital flexibility.
The teams worked extensively with Tobii Dynavox on test fits to model future functionality. By exploring multiple layout scenarios and walking through real occupancy questions such as “How many people are in the office on a Monday?” and “What is the busiest day of the week?”, the team established an appropriate desk-to-person ratio under hybrid conditions. This ensured the space was right-sized for daily performance without allocating unnecessary square footage.
The design prioritized diverse work modes and seating postures. A variety of seating solutions were selected to support different body types, task needs, and preferences, reinforcing a “seat for every body” philosophy. Spaces were intentionally designed to support focus, collaboration, informal interaction, and movement within a flexible environment.
To further support long-term adaptability, the team incorporated Steelcase’s Eco Lease program for ancillary furniture. Aligned with Stockholm-based leadership’s commitment to circular economy principles, the program provides structured end-of-use options including renewal, return, resale, donation, or recycling. During the first three years, ancillary pieces can be returned and replaced every six months, allowing the workplace to evolve alongside real-world usage while supporting responsible asset management and capital flexibility.
The Impact:
A Workplace Designed to Evolve
The completed office supports focused work, collaboration, and mobility within a cohesive environment designed for flexibility and inclusion.
By aligning desk-to-person ratios with hybrid schedules, incorporating diverse work modes, and embedding circular asset strategies, the workplace balances efficiency, comfort, and sustainability.
More importantly, the environment is adaptable. With flexible systems and a leasing structure that supports iteration, Tobii Dynavox can refine their space as team behaviors, headcount, and operational needs evolve.
The result is a forward-thinking workspace that reflects the organization’s mission. It is practical, human-centered, and built to support meaningful work today and into the future.
More importantly, the environment is adaptable. With flexible systems and a leasing structure that supports iteration, Tobii Dynavox can refine their space as team behaviors, headcount, and operational needs evolve.
The result is a forward-thinking workspace that reflects the organization’s mission. It is practical, human-centered, and built to support meaningful work today and into the future.
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