Client Objectives:

The featured project is a renovation of a 1922 warehouse located in Salt Lake City 's old industrial district. The building was purchased by a large construction company for its new corporate offices. As well as the need for more space to house the growing company, the owners wanted a showpiece for potential clients, highlighting the company's construction standards. The client had three main objectives for the building's interior design component. First, they wanted to maintain the industrial warehouse feel while providing an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. Second, they wanted to retain many historic features in order for it to be included on the national register of historic buildings. This request to maintain original character had to be balanced with the need to incorporate the latest technology in the boardroom and work areas. The third objective was to obtain LEED certification which requires high performance energy efficiency and benchmark standards for environmentally sensitive design.

Design Solutions:

•  To achieve the first request, we designed an open floor plan to maintain the warehouse feel. The use of glass walls extends this open plan feel to the exterior offices. In addition to opening up the space, the glass walls bring natural light and warmth to the interior work areas. The finish selection is a balance between the clean industrial feel of sheet metal and clear glass offset with red and gold finishes and warm cherry wood. To encourage the clean industrial feel the columns and ductwork were buffed but left uncovered and the main walkways are stained concrete. These elements of exposed metal and concrete reinforce the strong image desired by the construction company. The reception desk is a custom design which combines cherry wood, glass and sheet metal. Complementing the reception desk are reddish brown lounge seating and cherry/glass side tables. As a final touch, the break room and mail room were combined in a bistro atmosphere. This way the employees can get their mail or paper and enjoy a cup of coffee at the same time.

•  To preserve the building's history the original sheet metal entry doors, the stairway's sliding metal doors, the exterior window frames, and an antique vault were all restored and reused. The vault was incorporated as the centerpiece in the new boardroom. A soffit above the vault conceals a Polyvision smart board that can be lowered for video presentations and conferencing. The use of the warm reds and gold help make the room comfortable and inviting.

•  For the building to qualify for LEED certification, we included many recycled and recyclable products in the interior design. All fabrics, leather, and carpets have low or no VOC and we specified locally manufactured products when appropriate. The open design and glass walls helped meet the natural light requirement and a center atrium floods the building with natural light. When the original window frames were reconditioned, we installed double pane insulated glass to reduce sound entering the building from the street.