Designing a “Third Place” in the Heart of High Point

Designing a Hub in the Heart of High Point

As the ways that we live and work have changed, so too have the spaces where our personal and professional lives play out—and the evolution toward a more hybrid work-life existence has given rise to unique demands in the design world.

Enter “third places,” defined by urban sociologist Ray Oldenberg as the in-between zones that we occupy when we’re neither at home nor at work. These spaces are where relationships are built and strengthened, ideas are shared, and, as it turns out, the lifeforce of a community can be encapsulated.

These kinds of places are growing both in number and in importance, and we asked the design team at Barbour Spangle Design to enlighten us about how the spirit and story of High Point’s thriving downtown community was brought to life in The Commons at Congdon Yards.

^{Third places like The Commons are designed to suit a variety of purposes, and carefully curated furniture solutions aid in facilitating different modes of work.}

Understanding the Purpose of a Third Place

After prolonged periods of isolation, people are returning to public common spaces in droves. Cafes and clubs, fitness centers and other areas of leisure have gained a new significance, now that we can once again gather in neutral places that are neither workplace nor home—but can be flexible enough to feel a bit like both.

^{The stadium seating was inspired by educational settings similar to those used for TED Talks, while subtle accent lighting and comfortable cushions give the space a casual aesthetic.}

“Third places” provide a change of scenery, a place to connect and interact, and their design requirements are understandably distinct from purely residential or commercial environments. They are standalone establishments or designated communal spaces that provide meeting points within neighborhoods, resembling a type of town square for a new age.

With the introduction of Congdon Yards in High Point, the third-place macro trend got even bigger: so big, in fact, that the resulting campus made up of century-old factory buildings, a courtyard, parking lot, and event centers, has been lovingly referred to as the “living room” for all of High Point.

A Place for Ideas, a Plan for Action

Barbour Spangle Design is a forward-thinking firm helmed by longtime friends and former competitors Christi Spangle and Christi Barbour. Their combined passions for creating functional, beautiful spaces have provided the foundation for countless project success stories, and the team attributes many of these triumphs to their ability to collaborate creatively, as a team and with clients.

It’s fitting, then, that the design of a mixed-use third place such as The Commons at Congdon Yards was a (dream) team effort. Led by lead interior designer Hillary Powers, the team was able to transform a large, industrial space into a multifaceted design project that could serve countless purposes—all while managing the multitude of details involved in a project of this size.

^{Dividing up the vast industrial space was a critical element in creating more intimate “rooms” that still feel open and inviting.}

Paint color was one of the many decisions that needed to be made for the space. “Because it was essentially a large blank canvas of concrete, we used color to divide the spaces,” Powers says. “Using a palette of muted shades of blues and greens, we captured the Congdon Yards branding while complementing all of the natural white oak accents throughout the building.” We love these kinds of spaces,” she continues, “and how these types of environments can create space for all modes of work—from independent heads down to large boardroom meetings.” The resulting space is filled with a collection of locally sourced furniture that feels curated, almost heirloom in its uniqueness, but brand new. The introduction of interesting textures and textiles pays homage to the buildings’ early life as a hosiery mill, and thoughtful use of lighting parcels up larger rooms into cozy, intimate gathering areas.

Telling a Compelling Design Story at Congdon Yards

Before a single sketch or rendering is made, the many hands involved in an endeavor this grand must align on a strong central vision. To do this, the creative collective for the Congdon Yards project—which included Barbour Spangle Design, their behind-the-scenes partner and Designer Account Executive, Shane Jones; the Congdon Family Foundation, Think Creative; and more—penned a design story framed by a few key descriptors: bold, collected, belonging, revival, and woven.

The resulting space is filled with a collection of locally sourced furniture that feels curated, almost heirloom in its uniqueness, but brand new. The introduction of interesting textures and textiles pays homage to the buildings’ early life as a hosiery mill, and thoughtful use of lighting parcels up larger rooms into cozy, intimate gathering areas.

^{Each detail in the design of Congdon Yards comes together to create an environment that honors the building’s historic character while feeling like home.}

“Our chief focus was on celebrating the craftsmanship found here: furniture-making, interior design, creativity of all kinds,” Powers says of the story the team hoped to tell. “We worked exclusively with local furniture companies to showcase the wide variety and beauty of the craft.”

More than just a communal nexus in a convenient location, The Commons at Congdon Yards has become the birthplace of a new kind of culture. People who gather here will learn and engage with each other, surrounded and supported by High Point’s own fabrics and furnishings in an apt tribute to the community and collaboration that brought the entire project into being.

To find your local Designer Account Executive and connect with a behind-the-scenes expert to collaborate on your next project, click here.

Photos by Maria West Photography.
Top image colors: Surf Green SW 6473 (169-C5), Raging Sea SW 6474 (169-C6), Pure White SW 7005 (255-C1).