Carling Communications (Avalere Health)

Carling Communications — now part of Avalere Health — is a biopharmaceutical communications firm that needed an office environment as sophisticated and forward-thinking as the work they do. The challenge: transform a dated 1960s office building into a modern workplace that reflects the company's brand, supports collaboration, and attracts top talent.

The existing building had good bones but decades of piecemeal modifications had left the interior fragmented and inefficient. The renovation stripped everything back to the structure, revealing the original architectural character — concrete columns, generous floor-to-ceiling heights, and a structural grid that could accommodate a contemporary open plan.

The new layout balances open collaborative areas with private offices and meeting rooms. In a biopharmaceutical communications firm, the work ranges from quiet concentration to dynamic team sessions — the space needed to support both without compromise. Glass-fronted offices and conference rooms maintain visual connectivity while providing acoustic separation.

Material selections were chosen to convey the company's identity — professional but not corporate, innovative but grounded. A restrained palette of natural wood, polished concrete, and glass creates a clean, modern environment. Accent elements and branded moments are woven throughout the space, reinforcing company culture without overwhelming the design.

The project was nominated for the 2017 IDA SoCal Calibre Design Awards — recognition that validated the approach of finding extraordinary potential in an ordinary building. Sometimes the most impactful design work isn't about starting from scratch; it's about seeing what others miss and bringing it to life.