| Name: Brian
Heltshe |
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| Firm: RNL Design |
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| Client: Marsh
Mercer; Denver, CO |
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The corporate merger of Mercer Human Resource Consulting and Marsh McLennan companies
required phase construction, co-location, and the design of three floors in a downtown
Denver high-rise comprising 60,000 square feet.
Central to the successful integration of the personnel was a mutually convenient conference
suite. At 4,000 square feet, this suite provides seating capacity for 60+ individuals and
can accommodate up to 150 for formal receptions. The program required two receptionists,
capacity for training, board meetings, conference and waiting, as well as accommodations
for visiting professionals, and teh ability to host catered events.
This project was technically complicated and a challenge to design. Each company had
established identities and preconceived design ideas. Meetings included both project teams
and corporate project managers (often via phone) from out of state. Design meetings included
as many as 15 people, proving to be challenging. However, the collaborative effort created
a forum for the sharing of ideas and eventual evolution of the schematic design, design
elements, and finishes. With an aggressive construction schedule and equally aggressive
design and documentation time frame, the project necessitated early contractor selection,
bi-weekly meetings and a hands-on approach to detailing and resolution of design issues.
An extensive art collection became the catalyst for carefully located art areas. Phone booth
counters with upholstered walls were added to provide space for visiting professionals to work.
A radial plan pulls users/visitors through the suite. Hardwood, stone and carpet provide an
intricate background on the floor. References to the client's global presence using longitude
and latitude lines on the conference room glass provide both privacy and a contemporary note
in the traditional palette of the project.
Occupied in December of 2003, the project was constructed for a total cost of $38/quare foot,
with the conference suite averaging $60/square foot. Materials include carpeting by Bently,
Karastan, Monterey, and Aztec Custom Flooring, custom cherry paneling, lighting by Nessen,
Furniture by HBF, and wall covering and textiles by Knoll, Mahram and ArcCom.
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