Center of the Running Universe
Brooks is a titan in the running world, with more than 110 years of inventing and refining top‑tier running gear and making the joy of running accessible to all. Their new flagship headquarters in Seattle embodies this same spirit of transformation and meticulous craftsmanship that has defined Brooks for over a century, all while keeping the focus firmly on community and the art of the run.
The Challenge
NBBJ’s EGD team was brought in at the final hour to craft culturally resonant, story‑driven moments that could be seamlessly woven into the existing design. Working at speed, the team partnered closely with Brooks’ brand group and NBBJ’s interior designers to develop handcrafted, thoughtfully integrated elements that together express an authentic story of Brooks Running culture.
Project Vision
The building itself encourages movement with graphic interventions located not just in large gathering spaces or work areas, but in the corridors, byways, and stairs. The smallest of details are all relevant to the community culture, product materials, company history, and local landscapes, but the bigger picture highlights the vibrant, fun, and energetic spirit that can only belong to Brooks.
A sunshade to the right dithers out on the adjacent wall to reveal a map of local running trails. The last of the wood slats serve as a map key.
Sean Airhart
In an open atrium, fine linework murals show landmarks in the Fremont neighborhood. Floor graphics form a topographic map of surrounding land and waterways.
Sean Airhart
Design + Execution
Each element of the design was meticulously researched and informed by running culture; from the Brooks logo painted across a wall made of more than 300 linear feet of shoelaces, to a feature map highlighting 20 of Seattle’s most popular trails, and a floor stain of the region’s topography with an inlaid survey marker identifying Brooks HQ as the “center of the running universe.” A timeline wall traces the brand’s history and key product launches, while each floor introduces graphic themes inspired by the slogan “Let’s Run There,” alongside hand‑painted illustrations of early sketches and technical innovations. Stairwells evoke sunrise and sunset runs along lakes and mountains, and a mural by local artist Shogo Ota highlights Brooks’ influence on running culture across the globe.
Three parent graphics span across floors, expanding Brooks’ “Let’s Run There” slogan into a tryptic series that unites printed and stencil painted walls.
Sean Airhart
Additional stencil painted wall graphics detail technical innovations and fundamental knowledge about Brooks’ products and company culture.
Sean Airhart
Every detail matters: Elevator identifiers are inspired by lane lines, a linework figure is running to the restroom, and focus and wellness rooms feature custom printed patterns from Brooks designs.
Sean Airhart
Linework patterns representing elevation, speed, and running tracks seamlessly cross from print into stencil paint on the concrete walls. In other hallway areas, the stencil painting continues, touting technical innovations and fundamental knowledge such as the anatomy of a shoe.
Respite and wellness rooms have unique custom patterns pulled from performance fabrics and shoe treads, printed onto acoustic sound panels made of recycled polyester felt. The restroom signs incorporate running figures as a nod to identity signs at the original headquarters building. Identifiers in elevator lobbies are custom numbers inspired by the motion of a track sprint.
In the café, mural artist Shogo Ota hand painted an easter-egg filled linework mural highlighting running communities in Seattle and across the world, while a wall of clocks paired with Brooks’ ‘Let’s Run There’ slogan honors all five Brooks offices around the globe. Even stairwells received a series of custom painted geometric graphics, referencing the peaks and valleys of running a mountain trail at sunset. A timeline wall brings in a century of history, displayed on rails reminiscent of track lanes, with a bright pop of Brooks blue symbolizing the chalked blue line that charts the most efficient path on a marathon.
A custom mural from Shogo Ota highlights running culture. Geometric stairwells abstract the peaks and valleys of a run. Global clocks feature five Brooks offices around the world.
Sean Airhart
A running track inspired timeline wall features 100 years of shoes and news.
Sean Airhart
Project Details
This project successfully executed a simple approach to branded environments, using nuances and details that have been meticulously planned out throughout the workplace. There is a cohesive sense of place and learning that makes it such a unique system that makes it a universe of running.
As a submission in our Branded Environment section, we felt this delivered a really cohesive response for the Brooks ‘Centre of the Running Universe’. The product has been deconstructed and reinvented to show up across the workplace. It is a simple but lovely idea, designed and executed beautifully. Added to that the building embodies the mission of the company – to encourage movement. Every detail has been considered. We felt it really reflected the values of the brand.
Design Team
Eric LeVine (principal in charge)
Elliot Rupestock (project lead)
Christina Sakura (design lead)
Mandy Seever (project manager)
Duncan Bennett (designer)
Yusuke Ito (designer)
Mara Stokke (designer)
Wan Fai Cheung (NBBJ architectural interiors)
Kelly Griffin (NBBJ architectural interiors)
Alicia Jenkins (NBBJ architectural interiors)
Jasmine Mitchell (NBBJ architectural interiors)
Ryan Mullenix (NBBJ architectural interiors)
Ben Spicer (NBBJ architectural interiors)
Miles Stemper (NBBJ architectural interiors)
Emily Yensland (NBBJ architectural interiors)
Jonas Kuo (NBBJ lighting)
Collaborators
Weber Thompson (architect shell and core)
CRĒO Industrial Arts (interior signage and graphics)
Tube Art Group (exterior signage)
Shogo Ota (muralist)
Photo Credits
Sean Airhart; all images copyright NBBJ (photography)
Ty Cole; all images copyright NBBJ (photography)
Josh Harding; copyright NBBJ (videography)
Open Date
January 2025