The renovation of the Shamrock Office in Monrovia is an insertion of a new program into an existing historic building which as a careful balance between the existing building characteristics and contemporary architectural expressions. There have been many alterations to this building in the past including major additions. The approach to the renovation involved a spotlight on the absolute original structure with the lamella roof and a backdrop that consists of the reinterpretation of the added buildings. The interior spaces are organized adjacent to a clear linear path that crosses through the length of the building as a connection between the open offices and the private offices.
The open office spaces in the northern end of the building are partitioned by four foot walls that act as functional countertops creating a relationship between the upper body and the beautiful ceiling. Walking along the linear open corridor with partitioned offices on one side, visitors can follow through the aluminum and plastic exhibition of projects on the other side with a timeline of the firm's history, igniting the observer's interest in architecture.
There are many details that reflect the harmony between historic and modern. The garage doors that welcomed automobiles are now fixed permanently, dotted with square windows on the east façade while camouflaged white-painted steel lintels support the bricks above the large openings on the west façade. The cream painted lamella roof structure was conserved with matching cream-painted metal connectors as a seismic retrofit. Natural light entering from the garage windows on one side and expansive windows on the other side reflect in the cream ceiling, eliminating the need for artificial light during the day time allowing for an optimum work environment.
Returning to the entrance, the observer could follow the timelines backwards past a bright yellow wall and into an enclosed double-loaded corridor that terminates at a large conference room. The design of this room is characteristic of a passionate architect's workplace, reflecting a collaborative meeting area, negotiation privacy, concentration embraced with natural light, and personification through cherished objects. The conference room signifies the exchange of information between professionals through advanced media technology.
As a compliment to the interior, the private outdoor space to the east of the office building becomes the colorful exploratory exterior. The red structure of the original shed symbolizes the architect's task to transform ideas of space into reality. Another matching red steel structure, adjacent to the conference room, is a placeholder for solar panels to reflect the firm’s support for sustainable technology.
The Shamrock Architecture Office has become a treasure that represents the unity of a neighborhood produced by historic sites through conservation efforts as well as the opportunity for existing buildings to inspire designers who look to past techniques of success in order to create new places of reflection. The architectural ideology of the firm is expressed by celebrating the quality of historic buildings and expressing contemporary language.
