Russell Burns Building in Interior Design Magazine

When I started Clayco in 1984, I couldn't have imagined a day when more than a thousand of our team members would come together under one roof in a headquarters recognized by one of the country's leading design publications.

But in many ways, the Russell Burns Building represents exactly what has defined Clayco from the beginning: seeing possibilities where others see limitations.

Recently, Interior Design Magazine featured our St. Louis headquarters, highlighting the remarkable transformation of a building that many people might have simply viewed as an aging office structure. What they saw was an award-worthy workplace. What I see is a reflection of Clayco's journey.

The building itself has an interesting history. In 2012, Clayco and LJC Design & Engineering, our architectural arm, designed the original structure for another client. It was a straightforward, efficient office building with strong fundamentals and tremendous flexibility. More than a decade later, our team had the opportunity to look at that same building through a different lens.

We didn't see what it was.

We saw what it could become.

Today, the Russell Burns Building serves as home to our integrated family of companies. Architects, engineers, designers, builders, developers, and business professionals work side by side, solving complex challenges and creating opportunities for our clients. The building was intentionally designed to support that kind of collaboration.

Natural light pours through the space. The double-height lobby, framed by groves of trees and warm materials, feels more like a welcoming gathering place than a traditional corporate entrance. Two dramatic atriums carved into the building create vertical connections that encourage movement, interaction, and the spontaneous conversations that often lead to the best ideas. Open staircases, shared spaces, and thoughtfully designed work environments make it easier for people to connect and collaborate.

What I appreciate most is that the design never loses sight of the people who use it every day.

The best workplaces are not simply beautiful. They help people do their best work. They create energy without distraction. They encourage collaboration without sacrificing focus. They bring people together while giving them room to think. The Russell Burns Building accomplishes all of those things.

As I walk through the building today, I am reminded of how much Clayco has evolved over the last four decades. We began as a small construction company with a handful of employees and a determination to build something special. Over time, we expanded our capabilities, grew our team, and built an integrated model that allows us to deliver greater value to our clients.

In many ways, this building mirrors that evolution.

We took a structure with good bones and reimagined it for the future. We preserved its strengths while transforming it into something entirely new. That's not unlike what Clayco has done throughout its history. We have continually adapted, evolved, and challenged ourselves to become better while staying true to the values that got us here.

The workplace will continue to change, and so will we. The best organizations are never finished. They continue learning, improving, and finding new ways to serve their people and their clients.

The Russell Burns Building is more than an office. It is a reflection of who we are today and what we aspire to become tomorrow. It honors our past, supports our present, and provides a foundation for the future.

Most importantly, it is a place where the next generation of Clayco leaders will come together to write the next chapter of our story.

And I can't wait to see what they build.

Read the full article in Interior Design Magazine here.