John Mistretta of Junto Design Studio was awarded a big job designing space for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's biggest retailer.
Hired to furnish 400,000 SF at the headquarters of Sam's Club in Bentonville, AR, Junto interviewed the 250 Walmart workers before drawing up an industrial chic layout. Junto removed the walls, grouped workers by function and interaction with other departments, sprinkled in sofa seating with white boards and threw in space for snacking and a pool table.
Top managers' desks were circled together with a small stage in the center. A "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" arena microphone pulls down from the ceiling for announcements. Additionally, Wal-Mart recently chose Junto to design office space for its information technology center in Bentonville, where 2,500 people work.