5 minute read
Hole-in-one
from CCR Issue 7
PGA TOUR gets new global headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
By Laura Rygielski
More than 750 PGA TOUR employees, who previously spanned across 17 separate facilities, now work together under one roof at the organization’s new Global Home headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Situated just south of the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass— home of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament—the newly constructed, 187,000 square-foot facility faces the iconic 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, which serves as its fitting external focal point. Surrounded by a freshwater lake that delivers a dramatic arrival experience, the building features a distinctive indoor-outdoor concept that emphasizes the lush environment and promotes biophilia—the human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings. The state-of-the-art facility also reflects the progressive spirit of the PGA TOUR as it embraces new ways of working and collaborating. It embodies a sense of openness and transparency that is evident in every corner of the building. A 44-foot-tall “collaborative atrium” with floor-to-ceiling windows connects the two wings of the building via a 20-foot-wide bridge. Not only does this walkway encourage chance meetings and allow for informal gatherings along its edges without disrupting foot traffic, it brings in natural light and promotes an airy openness that can’t help but enhance employee morale.
It is here that Trex Commercial Products’ Track Rail™ shines as both a safety and style element. More than 2,500 linear feet of railing are featured throughout the state-of-the-art facility. Custom engineered for the Global Home, the railing system is designed and constructed with an aluminum base profile without the use of vertical balusters or posts between glass infill panels, making it ideal for enhancing sightlines. Clear 9/16-inch laminated glass railing offers unobstructed views and adds a luxurious accent to the appropriately named Grand Atrium. Nearly 300 linear feet of railing was custom engineered with 3-D laser scanning to ensure precision modeling of the distinctive shapes and contours featured along the atrium overlooks. A central staircase finished with white oak handrails cascades down to create a dynamic spatial and visual flow between successive levels while lending a warm, yet modern, look and feel. Track Rail also extends to the building’s exterior balconies, where it optimizes views of the natural Floridian surroundings.
In addition to stability and sophistication, the railings contributed valuable points toward achieving LEED Gold certification for the new PGA TOUR headquarters. The stainless-steel railings and aluminum fabrications are made from up to 75% pre- and post-consumer recycled and reclaimed content. The glass infill systems also contribute to daylighting efforts. Helping to connect building occupants to the outdoors, this method utilizes sunlight as a cost-effective, readily available mood enhancer while reducing the use of electrical lighting. Further enhancing the sustainability of the Global Home are five large skylights, nearly 17,000 square feet of photovoltaic solar panels installed on the roof to support the building’s energy needs, and an extended overhang along the building’s edge that significantly reduces solar gains on its glazed facades and prevents heat from accumulating in the interior. Plus, the facility was built on a raised floor to enhance premium air quality and contains site-wide recycling features to encourage an eco-friendly environment.
Floor to floor perfection
Each floor of the Global Home contains flexible, open floorplates that are non-hierarchical and focus on collaboration and mobility. There are nearly 100 meeting spaces that range from small rooms with a table and chairs to conference rooms designed to comfortably accommodate larger groups. There is even a “genius” bar offering technical support on computers, laptops and smartphones to prevent equipment problems, hardware failures and software bugs from hindering performance. Employees scored a hole-in-one with an amenity-rich work environment that offers a new social focus for everybody. The building features four expansive outdoor terraces available as additional spaces for working, eating or relaxing. Employees also have access to an indoor golf simulator and a fitness center equipped with aerobic machines, weights, rooms for yoga, Pilates and Zumba classes, along with fully appointed locker rooms and showers. Additionally, there is a 1.3-kilometer running track that winds through the campus’ natural woodlands. When employees need to replenish their energy, they can grab some java and even bake their own pastries at the on-site coffee bar, or visit the Global Home dining area, which includes a salad bar, sandwich bar and pizza oven. The PGA TOUR sources high-quality products from area vendors, produce wholesalers and farms, and offers vegan, keto and gluten-free options in addition to mainstream fare. There also are plans to start a vegetable and spice garden, further highlighting the organization’s commitment to clean eating and healthy living. The PGA TOUR moved to Ponte Vedra Beach from Washington, DC in the late 1970s and started with three employees who worked out of a single-family home in the Players Club development in Sawgrass. The organization has since grown to employ more than 1,100 who together coordinate three domestic professional circuits, three international tours and more than 100 events each year. The Global Home headquarters represents a new era of collaboration and teamwork for the PGA TOUR and positions the organization well to compete for top talent. CCR
Laura Rygielski Preston is president of Trex Commercial Products Inc., a national leader in architectural railings for commercial applications. The Minneapolis-based company engineers and markets pre-engineered and custom railing systems and has supplied railing solutions for some of the largest projects in North America from major sports arenas to government projects.
