Darden – Corporate HQ USA

The Darden family of restaurants features some of the most recognisable and successful brands in American dining – Red Lobster and Olive Garden to name but a few. Their corporate HQ was designed by Perkins+Will, consolidating all their previous offices under one roof. The office is 400,000 square foot over three stories, overlooking a large lake. The HQ features the usual culprits; offices, meeting spaces and employee cafeterias, however it also has several state-of-the art test kitchens.

We utilized an interdisciplinary approach, leveraging architecture, interiors, branding and landscape architecture, to create a more open and collaborative work environment as well as an “experience” that would capture the client’s vision and culture. Drivers including collaboration, community, sustainability, transparency and a sense of comfort informed all aspects of the design.