Agency 215 is a young advertising firm that recently broke away from their parent company. Looking to expand their headquarters, Agency 215 approached us about designing a unique, non-corporate workspace directly below their existing fourth floor office. The base-building, an old warehouse with brick walls and exposed ceilings, provided the perfect canvas.

Our approach was to highlight the raw interior, rather than hide it. The main expansive area gave way to an open office, while meeting and conference rooms were relegated to a smaller wing. The brick walls and ceilings were left exposed. In lieu of the traditional pin-up wall, our shop fabricated a “quilt” of shipping container scraps, creating a magnetized surface that adds color and texture to the space while remaining in line with the industrial quality of the building. The shipping container scraps were also used as the table base for the company's custom conference table. Foregoing the traditional acoustic ceiling, we also avoided commonplace office lighting. Direct/indirect fixtures and 1960's inspired globe pendants provide ambient light and a more casual and pleasant atmosphere than is typical in a corporate environment.

A new stair connects the agency's fourth floor office and the new third floor. Stair treads were made from the timber joist sections that were removed when the stair opening was cut into the floor - making for a seamless material palette and a great story.