PDT PARTNERS OFFICE
IMMERSIVE PUZZLES HIDDEN IN CRYPTIC CUSTOM ARTWORKS.
THE CHALLENGE \\\
Embed a series of hidden puzzles into the fine art and office architecture of one of the world’s most famously secretive quant hedge funds, encouraging their 200+ employees to discover their brand new office space and work collaboratively to solve complex problems.
OUR APPROACH \\\
For this project, we worked closely with CEO Pete Muller - himself a famous puzzle designer - to iterate on and refine a concept that would be delightful and challenging for solvers, as well as practical to achieve.
Many months of designing, drafting, and playtesting went into the puzzle concepts themselves, after which a search and recruitment process for fine artists and manufacturers began. Some of the puzzles required working within the limitations of heavy duty manufacturing machinery or metal smithing, while others merited close collaboration with painters and photographers.
The resulting project yielded five one-of-a-kind works of art that fit together in a seamless solving experience. The puzzles were hidden so subtly that to an unknowing pass-er-by, they look like completely normal works of art. Though each puzzle had an individual solution, combining their answers resolved to a meta-puzzle finale.
The project created significant buzz for the new building. The brightest minds puzzled over each of the 50 pieces of art in the sprawling office, debating which was a part of the puzzle. The correct combination involved clues hidden in paintings, photos, sculptures, and even a water feature! The puzzle provided many months of diversion for PDT’s world class team, and was ultimately solved by multiple-time Jeopardy! winner and PDT employee Seth Tribble.
This unique project has captured the attention of the finance world at large, and was even featured in Bloomberg Markets Magazine’s “Games Issue.”
