Integra Optics Expands into New Facility Inside Airplane Hangar!

June has been an exciting month for Integra Optics, as the company expanded into their brand new facility – a renovated, multipurpose office space inside an airplane hangar! The facility is located at the Integra Optics headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on the grounds of the Albany International Airport.

The expansion marks another exciting milestone for Integra Optics, as the company continues to expand its personnel, and rapidly grow its business within the fiber optics industry.

The new facility is equipped with state-of-the-art offices and meeting spaces, but unlike most business offices, it also includes a large common area that houses the company airplane – The Pilatus-P12. The common area will also serve as a collaboration lounge for employees. When the hangar door is open, occupants can gaze across the sprawling landscape of the Albany International Airport runway.

The inspiration for the design concept of the new facility originated from Integra Optics’ CEO, Dave Prescott. As an active pilot himself and an avid collector of airplanes, Prescott wanted to incorporate the aviation theme into the design of the new facility as he had done when he opened Integra Optics’ first office location in the neighboring hangar back in 2007. To make his vision come to life, Prescott hired Interior Designer Diane Meyer, architect John Riley from Hoffman and Riley Architects, and PJ Beaudy from Bishop Beaudry Construction. Together, the team took Prescott’s initial ideas, and created a spot-on aesthetic.

Today, as you walk through the new facility, you’ll see remnants of an industrial era coupled with a nostalgic sense of mid-twentieth century aviation – the golden, glamorous age of air travel back in the 1950’s and 60’s. While the design of the facility incorporates bits and pieces of the past, the overall look and feel of the space is progressive and innovative. Integra Optics employees can carry out their work in brand new offices, conference rooms, and meeting spaces. They can also take advantage of the new kitchen area and enjoy start-of-the-art furniture and décor that includes height-adjustable desks, a conference table made from a refurbished DC-3 airplane wing, and ‘smartglass’ walls that can change from transparent to opaque with a flip of a switch.

When designing the space, Interior Designer, Diane Meyer, aimed to capture the spirit of Integra Optics’ employees and the essence of the company itself. “Integra Optics is a progressive, forward-thinking company,” Diane says. “The people here are energetic, dynamic, and innovative, and I wanted to make sure the interior space complimented the identity and culture of the company.”

“Integra Optics is an exciting company to work at,” Prescott adds. “We’re growing and doing a lot of innovative things. By setting up shop in this new, high-tech office inside an airplane hangar, we’re showing that you don’t have to work in a corporate business park. There are many other options that can make the work environment stimulating and inspiring for employees.”