Pets, People, and the Planet Matter in Equal Measure at Freshpet HQ

Photography by Stuart Tyson

Freshpet’s new headquarters in Bedminster, New Jersey, isn’t just another office building. It’s what happens when you take the idea of “the workplace as a community” and mean it. Designed by Studio 1200 as part of a lively mixed-use campus, the space trades in gray cubicles for something more human: connection, collaboration, and yes, all the pets!

The building leans heavily into open, flexible workspaces, where people can bump into one another naturally, swap ideas, and remember that emails are not the only form of communication. Breakout areas and shared zones are scattered throughout, making it just as easy for a quick brainstorm as it is to focus solo without feeling like you’ve been exiled to a secluded conference room.

Despite encompassing a large 32,000 square feet, the headquarters has a two-story central town hall that serves as a forum for all-office events. According to Studio 1200 director Kate Burke and principal Nancy Dougherty, to center connection and collaboration, “There’s purposely only one spot to get coffee and snacks in the building, so people will move with their pets throughout the day.” A perfect way to see coworkers at the watering hole.

Architecturally, the building strikes a careful balance: It’s modern enough to feel forward-thinking but grounded enough to fit into Bedminster’s pastoral surroundings. There are clean lines, lots of glass, and an intentional connection to the outdoors, with sustainable features and energy-efficient systems quietly doing their jobs. This office feels more like home away from home with snacks (a large pantry), plants (a green wall), and recreational space (a doggie playroom).

The campus' landscape, designed by BW Bosenberg & Co., is just as much a star of this project as the interiors. Outdoor spaces welcome employees and their pets to get outside and move around.

“The building was nestled into the topography of the site, which provided opportunities to carve into the earth with beautiful, curved stone retaining walls, landscape buffers with an abundance of mature trees, large scale sculptures of dogs, and other design elements, allowing the actual pet fencing to recede into the background,” Kate and Nancy explain.

And they say the quality of the materials used throughout is palpable—from full depth stone, traditional stucco, and dramatic lighting on the exterior to the warm concrete floor, natural wood stairs, and supergraphics of Freshpet employees’ pets featured on inside walls. “Every design decision was made to appeal to both pets and people,” Kate and Nancy say, “and to create a long-lasting and timeless environment where they can naturally co-exist.”

The Freshpet headquarters shows how architecture and interior design can support a more connected way of working. By creating spaces that feel open, comfortable, and adaptable, Freshpet has built an environment where collaboration can happen naturally. They proudly stay true to their commitment to “pets, people, and the planet.” When it comes to the future of the workplace, Freshpet is leading the pack.

—Louis Noha