“too often the process is bogged down…by overthink, immovable objects, nervous nellies, politics, geographic fiefdoms, bad catering and/or too much time and resources to be productive. we provide a new way of working which recognizes that these obstacles shouldn’t exist anymore. the goal is to put the right talent around the table at the right time to accelerate brand momentum via rapid marketing prototyping (aka the 'hack'). gone are the days of lengthy processes, group think and all of the things that get in the way of brand momentum.” 

andy nathan, founder and CEO, fortnight collective

(andy nathan of fortnight collective)

fortnight collective, a brand marketing accelerator with a completely fresh and innovative approach to advertising (creating campaigns within two weeks or a “fortnight” or even as little as three days) opened its downtown boulder, colorado office in 2016. i was so lucky to be involved in the design of their original second floor space, which in line with their unique, collaborative process required a new kind of office design. we created a collection of “mini living spaces” to accommodate and facilitate the variety of fortnight’s working style needs: a reception that feels more like a mid-century modern den, a “living room” area that supports comfortable, relaxed meetings, a long, community table flanked by pin boards that can host lunches or collaborative brainstorming sessions, an intimate round table for small groups, an area with open desks for individual work and a conference room that can be closed off and is ideal for the vigorous “adhacks” fortnight is famous for.

(the fortnight collective building in boulder's 15th street design district)

not surprisingly, fortnight’s creative, efficient model attracted a steady stream of appreciative clients (Noodles & Company, Mondelez, Odell Brewing Company, Patagonia Provisions, Vail Resorts, Health-Ade Kombucha, Purina, among others) with whom they launched many award-winning campaigns that even garnered the attention of adage's best small agencies of the year a few years back. 

by the fall of 2019, fortnight collective was bursting with client work, projects and an increased number of employees and decided to expand into the downstairs suite of their 15th street design district building. i was delighted to come back and help design the new space. we wanted both floors to feel cohesive and connected so we maintained the calm, neutral color palette with hits of sleek, modern, white furniture, complemented by colorful vintage rugs and mid-century selections from above. the exposed brick, visible ceiling pipes and steel beams of the first floor are consistent with the industrial elements present upstairs as well.

when you enter the first floor suite, you are presented with many options. a cozy, relaxed seat by the front window offers solitude.

(the window seat)

the open “living room” is centered under a bright collection of mountain scapes by nationally known boulder artist and photographer, jamie kripke. a marble topped tulip table encircled by vintage, mid-century chairs enables small groups to gather. the clean, white powder-coated steel desks by bludot featured upstairs are repeated on the first floor for quiet, individual work.

(jamie kripke’s work on the right, grounding the “living room”)

(an eames coat rack as you enter)

(a collection of juniper wrapped books on the entry bookshelf)

a high counter with comfortable leather padded stools is another opportunity for singular work, lunch seating or presentations on the large TV hung behind the bar.

(the long bar)

on the back wall a white neon sign (designed by michael benjamin and actualized by morry's neon signs) that complements the “better hustle” sign upstairs, reads “keep moving.” … a beacon illuminating the space, drawing you in and reinforcing fortnight's energizing rallying cry.

bold graphics by designer matt kubis, in collaboration with UK illustrator dave towers, referencing the boulder and london offices invite you down the hall where you pass a private “phone room.” 

(the boulder and london offices represented)

(original art by matt kubis, hand-lettering and printing by dave towers)

(the phone room, original painting by mark castator)

(the hallway housing books, awards, client paraphernalia and fortnight collateral)

(fortnight created the visual ID for the premier lacrosse league's new expansion team, the waterdogs)

at the west end of the space there is a large “conference room” that feels more like a cozy lounge. this room provides a wide range of seating options with flexible, adaptable pieces that can be moved and reorganized to address changing needs. a large gold mural designed by michael benjamin and crafted by chase brown reminds you that “fortune favors the brave,” yet another encouraging mantra that is emblematic of fortnight’s philosophy.

(the lounge)

(fortune favors the brave, designed by michael benjamin and handcrafted by chase brown)

(the mural is framed by the industrial elements in the room: steel poles, and exposed pipes)

ironically, the first floor suite was completed just as colorado was shut down for the pandemic. in keeping with their optimistic, go getter approach, fortnight is doubling down with the extra space, ready and able to reopen (hopefully in 2021) for live, dynamic, safely socially distanced, collaborative work. in the meantime, they “keep moving” virtually with their clients.

photos: dave steinke

to read about fortnight collective’s original space click here