| Situated between two converging mid-rise buildings in a commercial office park was an opportunity to enhance both the technology and business communities, providing valuable services to the existing campus.
With office occupancy nearing its maximum, the site developer asked the architect to create a new 2-story office structure which would make efficient use of the space. The design was created through collaborative interaction with the owner, tenants and consultants to integrate ideal function with a progressive aesthetic. The resulting 24,000 square foot structure becomes the “jewel box” of the site, drawing curious guests in from the opposite end of the plaza with its strong geometry.
The parameters had strategic limitations; it would need to unify the campus, fit the restrictive “wedge-shaped” site, and adhere to minimized glazing on the east and west elevations due to the proximity of adjacent structures. It would also need to draw focus to the street-facing side which had not been previously honored.
Conceptually, the building’s transparent north and south facades serve to illustrate the shared philosophy of the team: “Welcoming the public and industry into the plaza with an open and “transparent” approach to business, collaborative technology and communication”.
The interior environment was created to speak to the same language of form, movement and resourcefulness, while meeting the operational and aesthetic requirements of the tenants; a media marketing firm on the ground floor and a small restaurant on the upper floor above the amphitheater seating.
A natural stone-clad east and west façades balance the mass, allowing the glass elevations, accented with stainless steel mullions, to steer the flow of light through the structure, flooding the plaza with welcome reflection of nature, and activity from the adjacent community. While the main amphitheater seating, brings both function and art to the elevation. Allowing all the occupants of the campus to experience the public gathering point, similar to the classic grand steps of Italy.
The space for solar panel arrays on the roof completes the sustainable thought and consideration, evident from slab to roof. The integrated plaza will celebrate one’s arrival at this building, through its radial, textural design and landscape as the occupants enter under the main projection of the floor above.
Slated for LEED Platinum status, consistent with the architect’s building in this same plaza, this building represents what’s possible when there is shared respect for the team, future industry and our environment.
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