Firm: Smith & Jones, Troy, NY
Look and feel of the office: Historical mixed with modern. The office was created inside the ruins of what originally was a bank, built in 1904. The team wanted to highlight the building’s historical aspects (such as its mahogany woodwork, pillars and antique safes in the basement) while updating it with modern contrast, which included materials like chain link fence, corrugated metal barn roofing and blackboard surfaces scattered throughout the office.
Goal of the workspace’s design: “The space is designed to create a natural flow from the outside in,” says Sara Tack, creative director. That means that when folks enter the building, they’ll find themselves at the Black Box, a front reception area where they can get a sense of the studio without compromising client privacy and informational security. From there, the rest of the space spills out to include account services, production management, then creative, with the main conference room and kitchen at the back.
Favorite element of the office: Tack says her favorite element in the office is a magazine rack they designed and had built. Behind each magazine is a door that flips up to reveal the back issues for each title, stored inside.
Workspace’s influence on creativity: “We are surrounded everyday by elements that conventionally would not be assumed to go together,” Tack says. “When you mix modern design amongst architecturally historic detail, I think your influences broaden.”
Interested in Making Your Workspace More Creative? Get Inspired!
Read this collection of past Workspace columns, which detail unique design studios in HOW magazine.
Loading ...
Pingback: Workspace Column Moves Online | HOW Magazine Blog