Employee Retirement Services Hawaii: A Café-Style Breakroom

Systemcenter Project 21623

A Breakroom Lounge Designed for Real Pauses

Employee Retirement Services (ERS) employees serve thousands of state and county workers across Hawaiʻi—people who rely on the system for long-term financial security. To care for the team behind that mission, ERS wanted a place where staff could step away, reset, and return to their day with a little more ease.

The newly refreshed 12th floor at City Financial Tower introduces a café-style breakroom lounge, offering employees a welcoming moment of calm in the middle of their workday. The space feels lighter and more approachable, blending the comfort of lounge seating with the familiarity of café tables in a professional government office setting.

What It Took to Bring a Café Feel to the ERS Office

Engaged through long-time partner and property manager Shannon Palmer, Systemcenter furnished the upgraded 12th floor from concept through installation. The scope included space planning guidance, furniture recommendations, procurement, delivery, and coordination with the general contractor.

The breakroom, work areas, and open collaboration zones required a thoughtful balance—bolder colors for energy, refined finishes for professionalism, and café-style breakroom lounge furniture that supports everything from quick coffee breaks to informal team conversations.

With the potential for larger groups using the breakroom at the same time, creating a comfortable acoustic experience was key. Systemcenter advised on sound-supportive materials and details the general contractor could integrate, ensuring the space feels calm and balanced throughout the day. Furniture from Haworth and its affiliate brands was curated and installed in phases alongside ongoing construction so the space could open smoothly and on schedule.

Where Lounge Seating Meets Everyday Work

For ERS employees, the experience begins with ease: a more open layout, layered seating options, and warm, modern furnishings that feel uplifting without losing the professionalism of a Hawaiʻi government office. Lounge seating invites employees to settle in, while café tables offer a casual place to gather, eat, or reset between meetings.

The breakroom now encourages connection and camaraderie between teams, giving employees a place to unwind, recharge, and return to their work grounded.

A Space Employees Actually Want to Use

For staff using the surrounding workstations and touch-down areas, ergonomic chairs, flexible tables, and intuitive circulation support focus and collaboration. Together, these elements create a workplace that reflects ERS’s commitment to the people who support Hawaiʻi’s public workforce every day.

Throughout the space, durable materials, cleanable finishes, and thoughtful furniture choices make the breakroom lounge easy to use and easy to enjoy. Clear sightlines and considered layouts keep the environment organized, comfortable, and ready for the natural flow of a busy workday in downtown Honolulu.