By Laurie Burstein
Four prominent design firms describe the challenges and inspiration
for designing inventive office space in St. Louis.
Firm: CI Select
Project: Fleischmann’s Yeast
Design Challenge: Create an open work space to foster
team building as well as a flexible environment to accommodate
change and growth.
Project Overview:
“A good design addresses a company’s current needs. A great
design accommodates the client’s future,” says Tami Martens,
principal of CI Select, a furniture, flooring and AV dealer.
Eileen Hamburg, owner of Quintin Design Resources, worked with
CI Select to design a new work space for Fleischmann’s Yeast
North American headquarters in St. Louis.
The recent relocation of Fleischmann’s Yeast to Chesterfield
was based on the changing needs of the organization to shed
their warehouse and create a more corporate environment. The
challenges of moving from a traditional “tall” cubicle work
space to a more open, team building floor plan have been successfully
off-set by the ability to serve customers better through interaction
and collaboration. Versatility of stack-on panels (and replaceable
carpet tiles) accommodates changes, future storage needs, and
allows for growth as the company addresses the dynamic nature
of business in the global economy.
For Fleischmann’s Yeast, the design concept was literally designed
from the floor up. Once the products for the flooring were determined,
then the rest of the finishes were developed. Classically designed
Knoll furniture, with the warmth of wood, provided a versatile
product with a progressive image.
Firm: Gray Design Group
Project: Stone Carlie & Company
Design Challenge: Accommodate the client’s spatial needs
in a limited footprint (floor plan) without giving up functionality.
Project Overview:
The decision to move after more than 30 years, paved the way
for the creation of a dramatic new home for the accounting firm
of Stone Carlie.
Glass fronted client conference rooms anchor each end of a central
client core. To make high utilization of square footage, several
medium-size conference rooms transform into one combined large
training facility by utilizing moveable glass and wood framed
walls which tuck away inconspicuously.
Many areas are multi-purpose and do not sit unused. The lunchroom,
for example, is upgraded in finish level and now “doubles” as
a client entertainment area as well as an internal conference
and gathering space utilizing the room for more than just the
typical lunch hour.
Branding elements such as the reception area backdrop of a numbered
relief wall reinforce the Stone Carlie motto of “Going Beyond
the Numbers.” Technology abounds from multiple plasma screens
to “switch light” glass which changes from frosted to clear
with the flick of a switch.
Attention to detail went as far as into the restrooms which
feature assorted toiletries, aromatherapy products, shoeshine
and other health products, allowing employees to freshen up
during the day or for an after hours event.
Wendy Gray, president of Gray Design Group states, “The symbiotic
relationship between Gray Design and its client is evident in
most elements throughout the facility; from the “Founding Fathers”
portrait wall to the hand-in-glove approach in the marriage
between the architectural details and the furniture.”
Firm:
Lawrence Group
Project: Momentum-St. Louis
Design Challenge: Given the expansiveness of the overall
square footage of two floors, the design had to encompass everyone
who works at Momentum and build camaraderie among the creative
staff.
Project Overview:
Lawrence Group designed an exciting new environment for Momentum-St.
Louis’s headquarters in Clayton. According to Linda Loewenstein,
a Lawrence Group founding principal, “Designers in our New York
office captured the essence of the Momentum advertising agency.
The space is creative, flexible, fun and showcases the agency’s
distinctive personality.”
The most recognizable feature in the design is a “Momentum Red”
amorphous surface—a custom-colored, textured wall paint—visible
from nearly everywhere in the 55,000-square-foot space. The
red element creates and connects public areas and leads a visitor
between them, from main reception to the board room to the coffee
bar and to the level below.
Colorful geometric floor designs and a custom wall of glass
and environmentally-friendly Eco Thatch panels allow a view
into the agency. A few steps in any direction alter the view
from intimate to expansive. Natural light is abundant and work
areas are open to encourage interaction. Natural linoleum flooring
announces the boulevards, metal mesh ceiling panels suspended
over work stations provide a finishing touch and create a rhythmic
pattern throughout, while highly polished concrete floors add
to the raw, loft-like feel. Conference rooms and soft meeting
areas are comfortable and functional. Natural light, shades
of green and splashes of red are infused into this dynamic,
high-tech, creative environment.
Firm:
Arcturis
Project: Knoll showroom
Design Challenge: Create an open, clean and collaborative
space that highlights the Knoll brand.
Project Overview:
The space functions as a sales tool integrating Knoll products
from textiles to wall systems. It was important that the built
environment be a backdrop, but also a compliment for the product.
The design is clean with raw architectural elements which allow
Knoll to be the main focus.
The existing acoustical ceiling was removed to reveal a cast-in-place
concrete ceiling which was painted white for a cohesive look.
The existing concrete flooring was exposed at the entry, creating
a path to the break room and kitchen. A wall of windows and
high white ceilings flood the showroom with natural light. Industrial
light fixtures and directional lighting were added to highlight
the furniture products. The lighting was designed to showcase
the furniture on the interior as well as views from the exterior
of the building. A translucent Knoll textile screen divides
the showroom creating abstract silhouettes of the chairs and
tables placed on the other side.
The open flexible showroom accommodates overlapping functions
and evolving product displays. The space functions as a working
furniture showroom used for display, office, meeting and entertaining.
Integrated technology supports work, sales and events.
Pat Whitaker, IIDA, president of Arcturis said, “Our project
recommendations came from balancing many conflicting variables
such as flexibility of space, cost, specific needs and image.
We are pleased that the Knoll showroom project was effective,
elegant and affordable.”
