Goals & Needs Program:
- In a portion of a historic building that once was a theater, redesign a two & 1/2 story unfinished loft space, into a contemporary architectural office.
- Maximize interior space: Build a second floor level for additional square footage: Our office needed 1100 SF of space, and generate income by leasing remaining 900 SF to a tenant
- Build a storage loft in ceiling area defined by wood truss and supported by an existing steel beam.
- Natural light and outdoor view for office space. We selected the unit adjacent to the rear wall so that we benefit from natural light from windows along the length of our in a 19’ x 52’ space.
Design Challenge:
- Incorporating Existing Large Exposed Structural Elements into the design:
o Included in our unit is structural steel framing for the original stage wall and wood truss above to support a bowed exposed wood rafter ceiling. This structural element bisects the entire length of the space only 7’ from and interior tenant demising wall. We wanted to make this strong visual element seem intentional in the design.
- Our office space needs would not entirely fit on the second floor, so we must put some functions on the first floor level.
- Make the tenant space flexible to become part of a future office expansion when needed.
- Office and tenant space must meet accessibility requirements.
Concept Solutions:
- Tenant Space Location: First Floor with it’s own accessible entrance from rear of building for maximum flexibility.
- Conference room is off the lobby and connects to a service corridor with an ADA restroom. These spaces are also accessible to First Floor Tenant Space which allows for the conference room to be used alternatively by both office and tenant.
- First Floor Office Entry: Upon entry, draw eye toward office space above by creating a two-story entrance lobby open to metal stair and structural steel/wood truss above. Interior wall is canted in plan to allow the existing steel column to dramatically rise two stories unobstructed to truss above.
- Exterior Windows: Added height to existing windows for enhanced daylight and views to exterior.
- Interior apertures allow views from higher to lower spaces and create visual interest from the entrance/stairway. These apertures create the illusion of buildings within a building as if the bowed ceiling above is the sky.
- Build a storage/mechanical loft area in ceiling area defined by wood truss and supported by an existing steel beam.
Supporting Design Features:
- Interior Colors and Materials:
o The color scheme is based on natural material colors and a neutral beige field with light yellow and terra cotta accent walls.
o Structural elements are painted grey to unify them visually and create a dramatic arched “screen” for a small 3rd floor storage/mechanical area accessible by a pull-down stair.
o Freestanding partial height accent walls painted a terra cotta color define the open office space like book ends.
o Copper mesh stair guardrail naturally relates to terra cotta colored accent walls. The metal frame of the stair guard was left unfinished with a gun metal polish to prevent rust.
o Wood rafter ceiling is stained.
o Brushed chrome accents in lighting, cable hung lights, cable railing at third floor loft, and door hardware establish a consistent contemporary accent.
o Original Brick Walls- Portions are left exposed for visual interest.
o Sloped wall adjacent to stair relates to stair slope and creates openness for the receptionist and privacy for the workspace beyond.
o Existing structural beam creates a visual distinction between the 2nd floor reception area and the open workspace beyond.
- Open Work Space Lighting and Mechanical:
o Low voltage halogen cable lighting and exposed spiral duct-work maximize the openness to the high ceiling.