Turner Northwest By SABArchitects, A Great Renovation Of An Old Office Architecture Design

Turner Northwest Work Space Interior Design

A renovation of an old office is completed designed by the architect SABArchitects in Seattle, WA, USA. This office which called SODO-office is covers an area for about 28,500 square feet, and this renovation was hold in 2008 by the architect. The architect is asked by the Turner Northwest, it is an internationally known construction company, to design the renovation and the expansion of their existing SODO-area office. The wanted to maintain the open loft feel of the 1910-era building’s exposed the heavy-timber structure, but update the twelve year-old design with the fresh ecologically responsible materials. They also wanted to increase the density and the efficiency in open work areas from a functional and the organizational standpoint, increase the number of the private meeting areas and create more desirable common spaces; it is to foster the greater intra-firm communication. This achievement which comes along with the LEED Gold Certification has to be accomplished and the project is constructed while remaining fully operational and keeping to a moderate budget.

The high-bay loft space while allowing the heavy-timber structural grid which is to provide the overall order is divided by the partial height walls in neutral tones. Which is delineating the individual functions within the office, the environmentally friendly materials are presented in their natural state. A regionally and sustainably harvested Myrtle wood pealing is used at the highly visible areas such as the reception, special conference areas and the rooftop lounge, it is for the example. The sheets of the unpainted steel and the unprocessed translucent resin is define the open work areas and re-appear in locations such as the receptional desk and the elevator cabs, it is as the counterpoint of the wood. For all case goods, the FSC Certified maple-veneer plywood is used for it.

The formerly underutilized rooftop pavilion is now a Mecca which has helped the unit of the company, the way is by breaking down the barriers between the people and departments who reside on the different floors. The design team is introduced a domestic vibe to the space, it is to facilitate the informal meetings, relaxation and socializing the design team. Of the vaulted and the light-filled space, the comfortable lounge seating, wood paneling and richly colored area rugs soften the “living room” portion. While a bar-height counter which is made of the metal-infused resin and the aluminum stools the anchor and the “kitchen” portion. Between both areas, a large family-style dining table placed here. A new feel is needed to be created while retaining the original context; it is by remaining in their current space and retaining many of the core elements from their 1994 build-out. Which is a challenge when one of the project goals is to focus on the sustainability; this paradox placed particular emphasis on the use of the new materials. The design has met the Turner’s goals creating a completely re-imagined work environment along with a significant increase in space utilization while the design retained 40% of the existing interior elements as well as the 49% of the existing furnishings.

The house interior design and the construction team also took the additional steps to meet the LEEDGod standards: 98% of the construction waste is dellivered from the landfills, water use is reduced by 38% and lighting-power-density is decreased by 19%, it is along with the reusing interior materials and the furniture. Additionally 42% of the project materials are regionally manufactured, 15% is regionally extracted while the Turner is opted to purchase 50% of their electricity from the renewable resources.

Architects: SABArchitects
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Interior Design: Nell Studio
Project team: Steve Erickson, Nell Sanger, Christopher Mosier
Project area: 28,500 sqf
Project year: 2008
Photographs: Sam Van Fleet