objekts
-
Located in a two-story 1940’s brick building in Seattle's Belltown, visitors step off the street into an unexpectedly cozy ground floor foyer resembling a genteel speak-easy with plush lounge seating. A faux clerestory lined with antiqued mirror creates surprising expansiveness in the small space. With dark wood floors and walls adorned with whimsical picture frames in place of traditional paneling, the atmosphere is more akin to a boutique hotel than the entry to a salesroom or workspace.
The journey up the staircase with its fanciful floral carpeting teases at the experiences to come. Arriving on the second-floor guests are greeted by a marble and walnut-topped, horseshoe-shaped bar under a filtered skylight, supplanting the idea of a typical reception desk.
The hospitality bar is both a meeting and a social hub, complete with turntable and beverage service. Opposite, a sculptural library wall punctuated with art-filled niches offers a peek into the working studio.
Anchoring the rear of the bar is a paneled shelving wall that hides meeting space reimagined as a warm, rich hideaway. A secret pass-through window adds to the speakeasy atmosphere. Contrast continues, as wool plaid carpet, pinstripe walls, and vintage light fixtures meet a sleek salmon-pink glass conference table.
Along the front window wall, a platform, dubbed the “veranda”, hosts entertainment, work, presentations, casual dining, and get-togethers. Lit by a constellation-like chandelier, one side features a long and inviting communal table along with an 80” high-tech presentation screen hidden behind gauzy drapery. Cozy wingback chairs complete the furnishings and provide alternate work points at the windows. The luxe gourmet kitchen opposite is fronted by a monumental marble-clad island that’s tailored to catered events.
The open studio is eclectic, illustrating how uniformity can be dethroned by an approachable, less rigid design. A transparent block of office and meeting space is defined by sliding glass and steel walls that allow flexibility between public and private.
-
Nicholas Worley
Hannah Rankin
-
2019 IIDA InAwards - InWorkplace
