Takoma Park, DC - "Landis Building" Commercial Interior

- NARI CotY "Grand"Award Winner 2006
"Innovative Technology"
- NARI CotY "Merit"Award Winner 2006 "Commercial Interior"
- Qualified Remodeler's 29th Master Design Awards 2007
Green Remodel "Silver Winner"
- Professional Remodeler's Best of the Best Design Awards 2007 Commercial Remodel "Gold Winner"

Brief Explanation of the Scope of Work

We had a unique opportunity to design and build out a new third floor commercial space for our own growing design/build company. Because our work is inherently a collaborative effort we needed space which fosters creativity and production as a group, but also provides elbow room necessary for individual productivity. We also wanted to create a space that would inspire confidence whenever we had prospective clients come to meet with us.

Unusual Constraints/Challenges & Creative Solutions

The space is approximately 6500 square foot with thirteen foot ceilings. There are large windows on three sides of the building. In order to best utilize the natural light, the administrative, sales, project management and design staff have their offices on the perimeter. The design also takes full advantage of the tree filled residential views on three sides of the building. The core utilities including bathrooms, elevator, stair, conference room, kitchen and IT room were located in the center. A walkway around this core provides excellent circulation.

The accounting department is tucked away in a large corner office for quiet productivity and security.

Our aesthetic objective in finishing the interior of our office was to take advantage of the high ceilings and expose the steel superstructure. In order to make this unique working environment we insulated the roof and ran all the electrical cables through conduits across the ceiling, we then spray-painted the ceiling off white, illuminated it with fluorescent up-lighting. The final result feels like a Scho Loft.

The cubicles feature custom built maple tops which provide warmth within a minimalist aesthetic. The principal’s offices and the reception desk feature custom built Sapele wood cabinetry .

Maple was also featured for the built in cabinetry throughout because it provides durability without sacrificing the visual impact of the design and has a warm tone and texture Engineered bamboo flooring impregnated with an extra hard acrylic finish, was chosen for the high traffic corridors. The texture and color pallete of the bamboo is picked up in the adjacent carpet and green accent walls. It also works well with the Maple desks and shelving details.

We also selected the bamboo because it is a renewable wood product. Given that we have 20+ employees working on a daily basis in the space, careful thought was invested to create an attractive and efficient kitchen and eating area.

This area leads out onto a large wooden deck built for assembly loads, so we can entertain our staff and other groups. The space is also great for eating lunch or having casual meetings.

At our building dedication event, we had about 75 people on our deck. It inspired confidence that the engineer who helped design the deck was one of them. He was very impressed with how solid the deck looked and felt as well as the craftsmanship that went into its construction.

We integrated ADA compliant design with elegant tile and solid surface finishes creating essential spaces that are also aesthetically interesting. In the kitchen, Careful attention was paid in construction the cabinet. The drawers and doors were carefully book matched. Following the grain from door to door reveals that special effort was taken by the mill worker.

Materials were selected to be environmentally friendly and durable. Low VOC paints which have minimal off-gassing were used throughout. Engineered bamboo flooring is a quickly renewable resource. Icynene insulation was selected for the stud cavities to make the space as energy efficient as possible.

The kitchenette proved to be a challenge. While it required an ADA work surface height at the sink, we wanted to mintain a comfortable residential feel. The bathrooms also required ADA compliance. Both have ADA compliant counter and toilet and one bathroom has an ADA compliant shower.

Overall Results

We have settled into the offices and are very happy and productive in our new space