New name, new brand, new office. Engineering firm TEI Planning + Design embarked on a comprehensive update to expand on their 50+ year history. Formerly known as Traffic Engineers, Inc., the shorter firm name reflects the firm’s wider urban planning work. Their new brand incorporates vibrant colors and a modern aesthetic. And their new office is a showcase of the firm’s energetic culture, a cool space with a soul. AMB Architects helped TEI make the office a reality; work included space programming, interior design, finishes and furnishings coordination, including custom artwork, and construction administration.

The office is located in The Jones on Main office suites; the suites are on the ground floor of the magnificent art deco JPMorgan Chase building in downtown Houston, dating from 1908. AMB started the project with listening sessions, to get input from staff at every level. TEI needed more space than originally thought, so they leased two adjacent suites and combined them for a total of 6,700 s.f.

AMB approached the visioning with a Dream Big attitude, using a digital whiteboard for everyone to submit ideas. This is where the idea for a custom art installation came from, inspired by a favored local Tex-Mex joint. The chef’s sister created a custom mural for TEI, a colorful expression of their work. AMB punched up the color palette throughout the interiors, incorporating the new brand colors on accent walls and in the furnishings. AMB also incorporated acoustic felt in custom patterns throughout the office, plus lots of greenery.

TEI’s new home has a welcoming entry lounge, large collaborative work zone, three conference rooms, and smaller huddle rooms. Employee work stations can be easily reconfigured and expanded with systems furniture. Here too, AMB incorporated TEI’s new brand with custom partitions that incorporate the logo and colors.

Fittingly, TEI’s new office sits adjacent to the METRORail Central Station Main.