“Christy’s energy and perspective are significant to our organization’s evolution and growth,” states O’Sullivan.  “She has a unique gift that enables her to grasp a client’s brand and aspirations and translate these intangibles into meaningful workplaces that engage people.  Most importantly, she's a great designer.”  Cain brings extensive, career defining expertise in “environmental branding” that aligns with idea|span’s approach to workplace design.

 “We use space to cultivate culture,” continues O’Sullivan.  idea|span recently put into practice innovative design principals with the completion of its new 5,600-square foot office at 100 Peachtree Street.  According to O’Sullivan, the firm’s workplace is now a functioning test site for emerging environmental trends.  For instance, idea|span’s workplace now accommodates the nearly 50% of the team that prefers “free addressing” in order to optimize work capacity.  Each day, the team if free to select a preferred work environment – whether at an adjustable-height workstation, lounge area, high-top benching, privacy room or a technology-base conference room – that aligns with its workload and work style in order to maximize productivity. 

“Our space now really aligns with our interactive culture that embraces curiosity, diverse thinking and discovery,” concludes O’Sullivan.  “It’s really sparked a new collaborative work process that, with the addition of Christy’s leadership and experience, will keep idea|span at the forefront of workplace design.”

“The most inspirational component of design is shaping, engaging and creating partnerships with clients,” explains Cain.  “As a designer, I enhance and transform a client’s brand, culture and mission and then collaborate with them to tell their story.  It’s truly the story and design that become the space, which inherently generates pride and, best of all, expands creativity within a corporation.”

Cain hits the ground running at idea|span, collaborating on the recently won accounts including:

• Norfolk Southern, 375,000-square foot workplace design (Midtown Towers, Colony Square); 44,000-square foot workplace design (Norfolk, Va. Headquarters)

• RentPath, a 75,000 square-foot workplace design (Atlanta Plaza)

• Fulton County Schools, a 120,000-square foot administration building to consolidate administrative/innovation teams (Powers Ferry); a 44,000-square foot training center (North Fulton)

As principal, Cain shares the responsibilities of operational management as well as business development.  Leading project teams, she works collaboratively with clients and the design team to ensure objectives are met and value provided.  Cain joins idea|span after more than a decade with Perkins + Will bringing 16 years of professional interior design experience in the corporate, higher education, healthcare, hospitality and science and technology sectors.  Notable designs include Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) corporate headquarters in Orlando, Fla. (2010 IIDA Corporate Best of the Best); as well as AutoTrader.com (2011 IIDA Corporate Best of the Best), Kemira corporate headquarters (2012 IIDA Corporate Best of the Best) and Turner Entertainment Group technical office expansion at the Techwood Campus, all in Atlanta.  Cain also has designed for BMW, Georgia Pacific, Kids II and GameTap.