Orion Group Holdings

Orion Group Holdings wanted to fill their new Houston location with personality, making it a place to inspire creativity, community, and innovation. The workspace needed to speak to Orion’s capabilities and accomplishments, while remaining approachable and accommodating to all teams as they come together under one roof. A leader in construction and engineering, Orion’s team actually poured their own concrete, taking an active role in the design of their own space.

The combination of the exposed concrete with sleek, modern materials reflects Orion’s industrial sensibilities and legacy of civil and marine engineering, as well as their values of authenticity, innovation, and integrity, and creates an aesthetic that’s both futuristic and rooted in tradition.

In the reception area, Nanometer installed a NanoGrid system that flows from the ceiling to the wall as a striking take on a light fixture. Orion opted for the “Tetraodon” pattern with its undulating pattern of circles. The diffused LEDs wash the space in clear, even light for a welcoming feeling while highlighting the unexpected beauty of the industrial design elements like the concrete floor, rebar-woven stair risers, and the concrete-and-steel reception desk.

Framing the reception area, the NanoGrid installation creates a distinct space within the larger open plan. It serves as a focal point for visitors, guiding them to the front desk and waiting area, and defines the area as a central point of information and welcome.

The most challenging aspect of this install was the transition from ceiling to wall, specifically making sure the Tetraodon pattern flowed perfectly across the corner — any hiccup in the pattern would be a terrible distraction. Precise drawings were created to dictate the exact positioning of the T-grid and the panel placement to ensure consistency. Thanks to careful planning and installation, the result is a seamless cascade across the perpendicular planes.

This NanoGrid installation does even more than provide striking lighting and indicate the reception area. It also includes battery backups and EM converters, and the whole install is lined with a trim system for a clean, sleek edge that hides LED hotspots and other mechanical elements.