Many inexpensive materials come together in a unique composition that respects the budget, yet yields a spatially rich environment that is not reliant on expensive materials and finishes for its success. Strategically and judiciously using more expensive materials such as floor to ceiling glazing and offsetting those costs with simple painted drywall, laminate surfaces and inexpensive linear strip fluorescent fixtures backlighting a cellular plastic panel dropped into an ordinary suspended ceiling grid, creates a signature aesthetic. Iconically introducing the clients branding logo and colors into the design tailors the space.

The misalignment of the floors from mill building to mill building was seized as an opportunity to design in enhanced thresholds that informed the user that they were moving form one building to another. Realized as simple painted drywall tubes, these thresholds establish a sense of place within the design and work to celebrate the circulation through the spaces.

Materials such as translucent curtains and birch stalks are used to soften the space in juxtaposition to the more minimal and machined surfaces. The curtains provide an enhanced acoustic quality at the lobby that also serves as a break out area for the adjacent multi-purpose room and conference rooms. As well, as curtains, they capture light differently then other surfaces, provide a detail that is unexpected and are a simple, inexpensive devices to allow the user to fine tune the space to allow views into conference room spaces or make them more private. Birch stalks are used are used similarly and provide a contrast that is warm, unique and beautiful to walk by or form an edge at impromptu meeting locations off the circulation.

• Architects

  Architecture3s

• Location

  Cambridge, MA, USA

• Category

  Offices Interiors

• Mep/Fp Engineer

  RDK Engineers

• Contractor

  Chapman Construction/Design

• Area

  38000.0 m2

• Project Year

  2010

• Photographs

  Greg Premru Photography