SPRINGDALE, AR HOK's design for this adaptive reuse project converted a 1930s trucking warehouse in downtown Springdale, Arkansas, into open office space for Tyson Foods.

Built in the 1930s as a terminal for Jones Truck Lines (JTL), the building also housed the Springdale Morning News and most recently was an Orscheln Farm & Home store.

HOK collaborated with Tyson Foods and the Downtown Springdale Alliance to renovate the JTL Building to house approximately 100 Tyson employees and a new company store. Tyson welcomed employees to the new office with a ribbon-cutting event and open house.

"Tyson used this building renovation as an opportunity to redefine how its people work," said Bob Blaha, LEED GA, Director of Design, Interiors, for HOK in St. Louis, Missouri. "The company will apply design strategies carried out here to future spaces including its original headquarters building."

Lower workspace panel heights, huddle and break rooms, and lounge and collaborative spaces adjacent to workstations give employees the opportunity to work differently within the space based on their needs. Centralized dine-in break spaces create a hub for employees from different departments to gather between open office areas.

The renovation has reopened the original truck bay windows to bring natural light into all workspaces. Retaining the original wood joist exposed ceiling allows daylight to penetrate deep into the space and offers a layer of sound absorption.

A company store provides a wholesale outlet offering Tyson Foods products and limited grocery items. The addition of this retail space helps draw people to downtown Springdale.

HOK's work in Springdale continues with the renovation and expansion of Tyson's original headquarters building at 319 E. Emma Ave., expected to be complete in the second half of 2017.