HBA Architecture & Interior Design Office Remodel
Ten years after original occupancy, continuous evolution of work processes had made portions of the HBA Architecture & Interior Design office space dysfunctional. When the Owner renewed the lease for an additional ten years, it provided the opportunity to address functionality and replace original finishes that were beginning to show their age. However, due to budget limitations, most of the existing construction and all of the existing furniture had to be retained with only modest modifications. The Office remained fully operational throughout the renovation; many design decisions were influenced by a phased construction sequence.
A collaborative design process allowed input from all of the HBA Employees. Common recurring elements emerged from an office-wide Charrette: enhancing openness, creating more opportunities for collaboration, improving lighting, and revitalizing the space in its entirety to make it a more active, invigorating and inspiring environment.
Plan changes focused on areas that would provide the biggest bang for the buck. On the main operating floor, that was achieved by moving the color studio into a space that had previously been used for paper-intensive processes that were no longer needed.
Relocating that space allowed for the creation of a large, flexible collaboration area where the color studio once was. Walls grounding the core were painted in dark grey hues; graphics reinforcing the firm’s guiding principles are applied to these walls. The collaborative areas are differentiated with a magnetic white board wallcovering and ‘trapease’ headers to allow for posting of discussion materials.
Additionally, reconfiguring existing workstations on the bias created small collaboration areas in two corners of the main studio.
The Learning Center, located on the lower level, was enlarged and connected to the Café, while less-utilized support areas were decreased.
A variety of indirect light fixtures replaced older, less functional building-standard troffers throughout the studio, collaboration and learning spaces. The varied fixture types serve to differentiate the areas of the open office, as well as to provide examples of currently available technology. They are installed to reflect the workstation layout, as well as to reinforce the diagonal energy of the space. Carpet planks in public spaces also reiterate the diagonal axis throughout; red accent planks were increased in frequency to identify collaborative areas. The diagonal pattern meets in the center of the studio space, allowing the work to be split into phases at this point; perimeter offices received coordinating carpet tiles, both to differentiate and to allow for them to be renovated at a different time from the areas adjacent to them.
Finish materials were used to reinforce the branding of the firm, with the signature red of the firm’s logo repeated on walls, floors, fixtures, and graphics.
All of the improvements were constructed within a very limited landlord allowance that was part of the lease renewal, giving the space a new, fresh, and exciting look at no direct cost to the Owner.
