This Corporate Headquarters installation of a multinational shipping company in downtown Tampa is designed to reflect the fresh, bold and progressive new direction of the firm. This five floor installation is linked to maritime tradition yet technologically advanced to communicate with any ship around the world. The international design style defines the company brand that can be implemented anywhere worldwide. The biggest challenge was the design and installation of a grand staircase in the middle of the space that necessitated the removal of a 20’ x 20’ section of the existing floor slab on 3 floors to create this vertical circulation element to unify the different divisions of the company. The stair floats in the opening and features a “true north” nautical compass in the terrazzo floor at the bottom of the stair opening.