Reinvigorating our industrial loft in Philadelphia

12.2014Building, Design, Firm News, Places

By Stacey Humphreys Blankin, LEED ND

Located in the historic Cast Iron Building, Strada’s Philadelphia office is just around the corner from Independence Hall. (Photo source: http://tdkca.com)

Creating a dynamic workspace is a messy business. We have been learning this first-hand in Philadelphia where we are immersed in the excitement of an extensive renovation, and a fair amount of dust!

No more private offices. Gone are the built-in partitions that delineated expansive (by today’s standards) work surfaces where architects once drafted by hand. No need for the ammonia that used to feed the blueprint machine. So long to piles of outdated material samples.

Our office before the renovation.

Demolition is underway.

Our new office will be bright, airy, and welcoming with a stunning view of the full space from the elevator lobby. The design is all about collaboration, communication and cross-disciplinary exploration. Cozy nooks and crannies, and a coffee bar will surround an open studio where writeable surfaces, pin-up spaces and integrated technology let ideas flow.

The design breathes new life into the studio while preserving the character of the historic Cast Iron Building, which dates back to 1899. Dramatic archways shape intimate alcoves and soaring windows bathe the space in natural light.  Perhaps the most remarkable feature is an exposed heavy timber beam that runs the entire length of the space. Always in sight, the timber draws rich and inspiring parallels to the past and the art of building.

Now a feature of our studio, the split of this heavy timber beam was an accidental discovery.

While we have had loads of fun bonding together in tight quarters during the construction, I think we are all looking forward to the project’s completion (and letting the dust truly settle). The attention to detail, natural light, informal gathering spaces, and flexibility to untether from your desk will foster a contemporary and distinctive space for creative placemaking to thrive.

We hope you will check back soon to see photos of the final result. Better yet, stop by for a visit!