ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES 

2500 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster, PA

In 2020, AWI partnered with Gensler to design, construct, and successfully occupy a new campus space – the Living Lab. An extension of the Avenue marketing showroom, the ambitious goals of the Living Lab were to integrate AWI products that support key elements of indoor air quality and to test various collaborative work environments. When the Living Lab opened in May 2021, the Campus Experience Team led an 8-week pilot program for a diverse group of employees who were able to experience all that the new space had to offer.  Feedback was provided through a variety of creative sources, enabled by Gensler’s  comprehensivechange management program. Workspace flexibility, employee empowerment, biophilic design, and access to outdoor spaces were key design elements that emerged as desirable for future AWI campus spaces. The Living Lab is now a permanent workspace for AWI’s Healthy Spaces and ProjectWorks teams, as well as an inspirational gathering space for all campus employees. More details on the integrated ceiling solutions featured in the Living Lab can be found on the AWI website: https://www.armstrongceilings.com/?intcid=button_ArmstrongSplitPage_Ceilings

 Meredith Baxter, Armstrong Campus Experience Manager, Host

As Campus Experience Manager, Meredith manages a safe, inclusive and productive working environment for more than 600 employees and contractors on a 225-acre, one-million square foot campus in Lancaster, PA.  Meredith is responsible for planning and executing campus improvement projects with an emphasis on healthy and sustainable spaces that promote physical, emotional and mental well-being.  With a background in both sales and marketing, Meredith brings a customer service mindset to employee amenities and provides hospitality that is both thoughtful and unique to the employee or visitor.  Meredith is passionate about exploring ways the resources of AWI’s campus can contribute to the vitality of the greater Lancaster community.  She is a proud graduate of Penn State University.

Ehren Gaag, LEED AP, RA Design Director, Principal, Gensler

Design leader, forward-thinking strategist, and product design expert, Ehren brings an inventive, cross-disciplinary approach to project work. In collaborations with Pandora, Price Modern, and T. Rowe Price, he’s helped create balanced and flexible work settings that can adapt to the rapid changes occurring in workspaces. A proponent of dynamic office space that reshapes and transforms with shifting business demands, Ehren has introduced new and innovative methods to address the corporate office’s shift to a more open and collaborative structure. His design approach weaves a practical understanding of the opportunities a building presents with fresh ideas for an evolving workplace. Ehren advises clients who are adopting next-generation workplaces on the best furniture solutions for their specific needs. He designs products for the commercial furniture industry, specializing in furniture and casegoods design for both manufacturers and corporate clients. Ehren holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati.

Stephen René Freret, AIA, LEED AP, Design Manager, Senior Associate, Gensler

For more than 20 years, Stephen has built a portfolio of wide-ranging projects and experiences that provide him with an understanding of how to approach and anticipate the next steps to successfully guide clients through the design and delivery process, from concept to construction and through move-in. His experience working with dynamic organizations and complex systems as a design manager in Gensler's Philadelphia office makes him sought after by his peers, clients, and colleagues. He maintains excellent relationships with clients who value his transparency, partnership, and proactive approach to achieving their goals. Stephen believes in the importance of practicing design synergy across multiple disciplines throughout the life of a project and embracing everyone's voice to create and deliver purposeful designs. He is passionate about mentoring young professionals. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Architecture and has lived in Philly since 1997.

Fully vaccinated employees and guests do not need to wear masks, unless they are more comfortable doing so.  Unvaccinated employees and guests must wear a mask when on campus.  We also ask that guests fill out the below health self-assessment before arriving on campus.  Thanks for your attention to this.

AWI Visitor Health Check In

If you would like more information about AWI’s Living Lab pilot space, please refer to the resources below:

https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en/articles/living-lab.html#redirect_term=living+lab

https://genslerpodcast.medium.com/looking-up-a-series-with-armstrong-world-industries-episode-1-ceilings-offer-clean-air-solutions-db5049ede0b2

https://genslerpodcast.medium.com/looking-up-a-series-with-armstrong-world-industries-episode-2-redefining-resilient-spaces-2359fd5800f8

https://www.gensler.com/blog/the-power-of-the-pilot-a-low-risk-high-reward-real-estate?q=awi