Waste Management Houston HQ

An open mindset led to a stunning result for WM, North America’s largest comprehensive waste management environmental solutions provider. When corporate leadership decided to consolidate the headquarters in Houston, Texas, they made it clear that they were open to creative ideas for the new buildout, with one major stipulation: sustainability was the primary goal.

“WM’s relocation into our new headquarters is central to our purpose: We operate with sustainability at the center of all we do,” says Jim Fish, WM’s president and CEO.  Leasing multiple floors in a LEED v4.0 Platinum Core and Shell Certified tower was the first step. For the fit-out, the design team emphasized recycled materials, natural elements, future flexibility, and spaces and technology that support collaborative work. In addition, creative use of the WM brand’s colors, clever evocations of its logo, and illustrative displays of the company’s culture and values stoke pride in WM’s workplace and build an even stronger sense of belonging.

Brand identity, connectedness, and a commitment to a greener future are united in the most striking design feature in WM's new headquarters: a nine-story central stair that’s flanked by a living wall.  “The stair provides a continuous vertical connection throughout WM’s space, offering opportunities for all departments to connect,” says Perkins&WIll project manager Jennifer Carzoli. Those opportunities include areas for collaboration and refreshments on each floor, conference rooms, and screened booths for semi-private work, meetings, and networking.

The result is a bright, modern space designed to sustain the environment and team members.