Andrew Davidson & Group Inc., a successful risk management
company, hired I-Beam Design to create offices for their expanding
business on a 7,000 square foot floor in the historic
Bayard-Condict building designed by renowned architect and pioneer of
the skyscraper, Louis Sullivan.
Andrew Davidson & Group’s desire for a
comfortable, non-hierarchical and inspiring space for their staff to
communicate with each other and clients provided the impetuous for the
design. Upon entering the space one sees the circular conference room,
“The Center”, a spaceship-like centerpiece that floats in the middle of
the open plan layout of distinguished Herman Miller workstations. The
conference room is made of dichroic acrylic panels that change color and
opacity depending on the position of the viewer relative to the room.
This creates a dramatic effect that is soothing from inside and engaging
from the outside.
The circular nature of the room is accentuated by the
ultra modern “System X Light” and features Saarinen’s futuristic Tulip
chairs and a circular table.
In keeping with the flexible work atmosphere established
by the client, thereception desk is designed to rotate around one of
Louis Sullivan’s perfectly round columns. The desk’s position is
adjustable and can rotate around the column to accommodate future
adjustments to the spatial configuration. Similarly, an
overhead grid of raceways and power points allows for workstations to be
added or removed as necessary without sacrificing design integrity. Credits:Contractor: ZR Continental Corp.Brian DonahuePhotography: Travis DubreuilWorkstations: Herman MillerConference Room Panels: Light BlockSystem X Lights: Yamagima