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Update: This article has been updated with additional firms that worked on interior design in Indeed Tower.
Sometimes, a great business opportunity really does just come down to who you know.
That’s the case for Arizona-based interior design firm EdgeQuarters, which has seemingly become the designer of choice for job-search company Indeed Inc. EdgeQuarters has handled design services at a number of Indeed’s offices, from locations in Seattle and New York City to Indeed’s newest office in downtown Austin, and EdgeQuarters partner, lead designer and co-owner Audra Canfield said the business relationship was born out of a job she worked on before EdgeQuarters even existed.
Canfield began her career doing high-end residential work, she said. While working in that space and taking any work she could in order to build her portfolio, Canfield received a job offer.
“One of my clients … said, ‘Would you be interested in doing our office space?’” she said. “That was Foursquare.”
Having never designed an office space before, Canfield took the job in late 2011 and has since fallen in love with commercial design. Some of the benefits to working in the commercial world include designs that are less personal to one specific client and getting creative with a company’s culture and office concepts.
But how does that one design job with Foursquare lead to a portfolio full of Indeed offices?
“The guy that hired me at Foursquare, he went on to work for Indeed,” Canfield said. “He called me up and said, ‘Hey, I need your help again.’”
That "help" involved designing Indeed’s offices in Stamford, Connecticut, and Austin, where the company is co-headquartered. Since then, the relationship between Indeed and EdgeQuarters has flourished, with the design firm working on eight Indeed projects in total, according to its portfolio.
EdgeQuarters also does design work for hospitality spaces including bars and restaurants, Canfield said, but the firm’s major focus is on office space.
Perkins&Will in collaboration with Specht Novak Architects also worked on interior design for Indeed's office in Indeed Tower.
How would you describe your design style or philosophy?
I believe in working hard and being kind and patient. I feel like in terms of style, I really like every style. I always listen to the client — what their culture is, what direction they want to go — and then I do the best in that style that I feel like I can do. We always give options, so [the clients] feel like I’m not just dictating a style to them.
If you could design a space with no limitations, what would that look like?
Oh, probably ultra modern — everything’s built in, lots of millwork, clean, bright — almost where the furniture is sculptural and really pops in a space. I love the idea of an all-white space with just red chairs, or any other color.
Do you have any dream projects you would like to work on?
Not to be eye-rolling, but Indeed has been my dream client and projects. When they have us design [Indeed’s Seattle office], it feels like Seattle. It’s moodier, with lots of greens and blacks. And then when we design the Austin spaces, they’re brighter, they’re happier, they’re cheery. You just get that energy of Austin. I love that I have a client that allows for local design aesthetics.
What is your favorite project you’ve worked on?
I want to say something other than Indeed Tower, but I just can’t. It was my favorite, and I’ve had other ones I’ve really enjoyed. But the tower, the reason I loved it is the scale, and Indeed really let me go. They were like, “We want ‘wow.’” It pushed me, I grew from it. It pushed me on a level I’ve never been pushed, and I had to really go into the zone a lot.
Are there any designers whose work you try to emulate or inspires you?
I am always inspired by [interior designer] Kelley Wearstler. [Ludwig] Mies van der Rohe is an architect I’ve always liked. His famous quote is, "Less is more," so I tell myself that when I get stuck a lot.
And they’re totally different designers — architect versus interior designer. I just have a big respect for both of them.
What advice would you give someone looking to enter your industry?
Understand that the design part, for the most part, is a very small fraction of what you’re going to be doing. The majority is putting out fires and project management. That’s interior design. Both commercial and residential, it doesn’t matter. You’re managing all kinds of trades … That sounds almost like a warning, but just so people wanting to get into the industry understand it’s not all fun. You get your hands dirty.
What did you want to be growing up?
I majored in accounting because I felt like I had to do something that I knew I could make money at, and so I chose my first degree very conservatively. I always wanted to be in the arts and I always loved interiors, but I didn’t put it together until later. I went back to school for interior design almost right after I graduated and realized that was my true passion.
It’s funny, you ask people, "Oh, what would you do if you could do everything differently?" I’ve had this conversation with multiple friends and I would still be an interior designer.
What do you do to de-stress after work or on the weekends?
Work out, big time. And drink red wine … we do laugh about that, because we’re kind of a drinking crew. But, we have fun!
How did you earn your first dollar?
I worked at a cafe in a science museum. I loved it. My girlfriends and I would get off work and go walk around the science museum.
Where is your favorite place in Austin to meet clients?
I feel like if I’m meeting with [clients] lately, I really like outdoor spaces. You know Hotel Magdalena? I love that little area over there, I feel like that’s a nice meeting spot.
You split your time between Austin and New York City. Are there any differences between what your clients are looking for in each of those cities?
I would say everyone in New York City wants the New York City vibe. It’s definitely more severe. More minimalist, like quieter interior architecture. In Austin, I feel like we get to really have fun. It’s my preferred place to be. I think it’s the energy. New York has energy, but it’s like survival. In Austin, you’re living your life.
Title: Co-owner, principal designer
Age: 45
Hometown: Midwest City, Oklahoma
Education: Associate’s degree in interior design, Fashion Institute of Technology
Family: Married; two dogs
Contact: (347) 757-2118; audra@edgequarters.com
