Green Building Renovation
Manasc Isaac Architects renovated the Oliver Building, an aged federal government building, on the corner of 100th Avenue and 103rd Street, and turned it into a bright contemporary office space. Chosen for its central location and great river valley view, the building is an ideal spot for an ever expanding architectural firm and industrial design studio.
The space consists of an airy open-concept divided into a north and south studio on the main floor, with D-Lab’s industrial design workshop in the walk-out basement.
With a focus on employee comfort in the workspaces, one of the main features is the series of windows on either side of the rectangular studio space. The operable windows allow fresh air and natural light to enter the office, cooling the interior during the summer and reducing the need for artificial lighting.
The main architectural feature of the space is a large central area enclosed by a plexiglas wall. This area is used for printing, copying and file storage. A row of freestanding bookcases that contain our technical library extend the visual line of the central area, provides a space for casual stand-up meetings.
The kitchen, together with a Design Library, creates a relaxed atmosphere where staff can have lunch or browse through books and magazines. Two boardrooms are located away from the studio area to allow for privacy during meetings.
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