When San Diego Foundation set out to renovate its 35,000-square-foot headquarters, the goal went beyond modernizing an office.
The organization wanted to create a workplace environment that authentically reflected its people-first mission and deep connection to the region it serves.
What followed was a close collaboration between marketing, human resources, and creative partners—centered on an ambitious goal: translating the brand, typically public-facing and marketing-led, into a meaningful employee experience within the physical workspace.
Ensuring the interiors felt unmistakably like San Diego Foundation meant extending the brand system we developed in 2021—one grounded in clarity, optimism, and community impact—into the built environment.
Visitors are greeted with a dramatic, oversized video display anchoring the double-height lobby with dynamic content that evolves over time, highlighting stories, initiatives, and timely messages. It serves as both a focal point and a flexible storytelling platform, reinforcing the organization’s role as a catalyst for change.
The floor plan was organized into distinct zones keyed to the brand’s color palette. These colors do more than add visual interest; they support intuitive wayfinding by defining departmental “neighborhoods.”
Color was thoughtfully integrated through paint accents, furniture selections, and curated artwork, creating a cohesive experience that feels both intentional and human.
Words and stories play a central role throughout. Inspiring quotes drawn from the organization’s values create brand moments that reinforce purpose and spark reflection.
At the heart of the space, a 52-foot timeline chronicles 50 years of San Diego Foundation impact, transforming history into a visual narrative that celebrates progress and possibility.
San Diego imagery further grounds the brand in place. Rather than relying on familiar tourist tropes, MiresBall worked with local photographer Stacy Keck to curate authentic moments from neighborhoods across the region.
The result is a more honest, lived-in portrait of San Diego—one that reflects the communities San Diego Foundation exists to support.
The finished environment is more than an office. It is a physical expression of San Diego Foundation’s values designed to inspire both the people who work there and the partners who walk through its doors.
