Offices are meant to be places of productivity, creativity, and collaboration. But if those offices serve the people who create some of the world’s most popular video games, they need to be more than just functional—they also need to be fun and inspiring. Tiburon, a renowned video game publisher based in Orlando, Florida, spent four years developing iconic games like Madden and College Football USA before undergoing a significant transformation. EA Sports recognized Tiburon’s talent and potential and purchased a minority stake in the company. This acquisition allowed Tiburon to develop games exclusively for EA Sports, paving the way for an era of remarkable growth and innovation. But this expansion also required the development of new office space to support the growing team. The solution came in the form of a state-of-the-art building at 515 W Amelia St, meticulously designed by Baker Barrios Architecture.
Before the design process began, Baker Barrios Architecture held extensive discussions with EA executives to gain a full understanding of their vision and priorities for the new workplace. The executives had some specific requests that were non-negotiable. One of the top priorities was the inclusion of a motion capture studio, essential for filming and modeling athletes to enhance the realism of their sports games. This high-tech studio would be a crucial part of the game development process, allowing the team to capture the nuances of movement and bring their digital athletes to life.
Another key requirement was the implementation of partitions throughout the office to help designers and testers control the amount of light hitting their monitors. In the world of game development, lighting conditions are critical to ensure the visual quality of games remains at the highest level. These partitions would allow the team to create the ideal working environment, minimizing glare and distractions while maximizing focus and productivity.
One of the most unique and beloved features of their previous office, which executives were keen to recreate, was the ball pit conference table. This unconventional conference table had become an iconic aspect of the company culture. It was not just a meeting place, but a symbol of the playful and creative spirit that permeated the way the company operated. The ball pit conference table hosted some of the most important and creative meetings, and it also served as a constant reminder that work can be fun. Sometimes executives even sat in the ball pit to lighten the mood during particularly intense meetings. Visitors to the office often asked to see the table, marveling at the absurd yet delightful contrast between a traditional boardroom and a whimsical playroom.
“We knew we wanted to recreate the iconic ball pit, but we had to figure out how to make it work in its new environment,” said Sydney Moeller, principal and director of workplace strategies at Baker Barrios Architecture. “This was during COVID, so we also had to think about how to keep it clean and sanitary.” The ball pit became a symbol of the office’s unique culture, combining creativity, playfulness and functionality in a way that few workplaces can achieve.
The ball pit was just one element of the overall design theme. The new five-story building is connected vertically by a large, glass-enclosed staircase that serves as the backbone of the building. This staircase is surrounded by a mural featuring characters from the company’s most popular games, creating a visually stunning thematic connection that ties the entire building together. The artwork can be seen from the staircase and on every floor, providing a constant reminder of the company’s creative output. The ground floor features a café and cafeteria with a large gathering area for all-staff meetings, or as the team affectionately calls it, a “beer and cheers” room where the team can come together to celebrate successes and relax.
Aesthetically, the workspace is a mix of natural and digital elements, reflecting the dual world of video games. Light wood, modern fixtures and colorful artwork were used throughout the space to create an environment that is both lighthearted and sophisticated. “Video games mix the natural and digital worlds, so we used a lot of natural wood with advanced tech features,” said Moeller. The result is a workspace that feels warm and inviting while also being cutting edge and technologically advanced.
The design also took into account the diverse teams that make up the game development process, including artists, engineers, developers, and testers. Each team works independently, but collaboration within and across departments is essential. “We like to use the term ‘interwoven neighborhoods,'” Moeller said. “These are open spaces, but with demarcated areas to provide privacy and avoid distractions.” This concept was achieved by incorporating phone booths and other visual cues to separate the different “neighborhoods” within the office. Employees can move freely between areas, but there are clear cues that indicate they are moving from one demarcated space to another.
Flexibility was another key element of the design. Almost all interior walls are movable, allowing the office team to experiment with different layouts and configurations to optimize space usage and activity. Large conference rooms feature built-in dividers that can easily be adjusted when needed to create smaller, more intimate gathering spaces. “We heard that they wanted meeting rooms and conference rooms in different sizes, but instead of just providing these statically, we wanted to make the space dynamic so it offered options they didn’t have before,” explained Moeller.
The result is a workplace that is as dynamic, flexible and innovative as the games Tiburon develops, and offers a perfect environment for creativity to flourish.
