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Imperial Agency: Space Utilization

Client: Imperial Agency

Auto & Home Insurance Agency/PennDOT Photo License Booth; Philadelphia County, Philadelphia, PA

Workplace Issues:
Combining private insurance agency and PA licensing services in one convenient location
Need for both visibility and privacy

Project Scope:
License photo booth; insurance workstations; 2,000 square feet

The Story:
A symbiotic relationship is typically found in nature—think clownfish and sea anemone or oxpecker and rhinoceros. Two separate species engage in a cooperative relationship for each species’ survival, or at least for great benefit. And though the Imperial Agency and a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation photo license booth aren’t deep sea dwellers or animals living on the African savannah, they definitely benefit from being near one another.

In April 2010, PennDOT put out a Request for Proposal to locate a photo licensing booth within an agency that could manage customers’ driver, vehicle, and licensing needs, thereby offering a convenient and complete menu of services for Pennsylvania motorists. The insurance company would cover the renovation and provide space in exchange for PennDOT driving customers directly to its door. Gary Orvieto, owner of Imperial Agency, was awarded the bid.

Laws of nature prevail in a symbiotic relationship; the oxpecker simply knows to eat pesky tics off the hides of roaming rhinoceros, but there were bigger “bugs” to work out when adding state agency services to an independent business. Although PennDOT employs standard guidelines for this kind of project, each space is unique. The photo licensing side requires high visibility and accessibility to the public. A small waiting area and partitioned booth are necessary for customers updating their licenses. PennDOT also requires a break area for employees and a secure storage area for sensitive documents. The Imperial Agency requires a flow of customers and a quiet, comfortable location to interact.

Orvieto approached SupplySource, Inc.—almost from sheer luck; he noticed a SupplySource logo on a set of example PennDOT plan sheets—and connected with Daryl Pilon, sales representative. Together they laid out the plan: Orvieto would remain in his current space on one side of a U-shaped strip mall while he renovated and then moved into the License Center which occupied space across the parking lot, and whose lease was coming to an end. Customers were already familiar with the License Center, and Orvieto would downgrade in square footage, saving money. His biggest challenge, as Pilon interpreted, was “space efficiency.”

Rather than making simple furniture recommendations, Pilon helped devise a layout that would serve both Imperial’s and PennDOT’s needs. “To accomplish this,” says Pilon, “we placed the photo booth in the back of the building.” Using modular systems, they were able to “maximize the narrow space with a linear sequence of workspaces, partitions, and overhead storage. A greeter is positioned near the door, welcoming customers and directing them based on their needs. Between the greeter on one end and a photo booth at the other are a system of four stand-up kiosks and two desks, where insurance representatives handle customers, and a private break area and security closet. By directing flow past the insurance employees to a comfortable, private photo booth, we created an efficient layout for a profitable outcome,” explains Pilon.

Two other driving needs in the project for Orvieto were affordability and time management: he had a committed date to move from his existing space to the new location. The workstations & systems—highly durable and multi-functional—were chosen in fabrics and laminate that matched existing color schemes. Pilon worked directly with the electrician to ensure the data connections were compatible with the furniture layout and he marked the floor himself, to scale, to show the carpet manufacturer exactly where to lay the Interface brand carpet. These details, paired with affordable Eurotech MT3000 office seating and stackable S5000 models, and the project came together in time to capture Orvieto’s desired look and style.

Orvieto, who has combined his insurance products with PennDOT licensing booths in the past at other locations, had never used a specialized company like SupplySource, Inc. to handle the furniture and design aspect. After his experience with Pilon, he was surprised that the project result was more cost effective and efficient than in situations where he’d done it on his own. “I have a small place, but I was treated by Daryl and SupplySource as an equal to their biggest customers,” said Orvieto. “It was a challenging, narrow space, and it was done very well.”

The Mayfair Shopping Mall in Philadelphia now plays host to a very successful symbiotic relationship. PennDOT’s licensing camera flashes between 500-600 times a week, and those same customers can manage their insurance, title transfers, auto tags, and notary service through the Imperial Agency, sharing a convenient, thoughtfully arranged and furnished space.