Trifecta Technologies

Allentown, PA, United States

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Trifecta Technologies

Allentown, PA, United States

Firm

R+D Architecture

Type

Commercial › Office

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2014

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET

$1M - 5M

Photos

Alyssha Eve Csuk (12)

Project Background

The Owner
Trifecta Technologies, a rapidly growing technology company, had a vision - to re-locate their offices to downtown Allentown - an area which is undergoing rapid redevelopment in the recently established NIZ (Neighborhood Improvement Zone). Instead of tearing down an old building and building anew, they wanted to adapt and re-use an existing building for their needs.

Contract Type
Due to the timelines of Trifecta's existing lease, the project was fast-tracked, under a somewhat unconventional design-build contract. The Architect worked for the Constrcution Manager, but the interface between the Architect and the Owner was direct and uninhibited. We spent many days in focused meetings with every department in the company to create both a program and list of criteria for the design.

Owner's Goal
The Owner also visited a number of facilities regionally and on the west coast, and wanted their new space to compete with what he saw, because his space is part of the package used to entice prospective employees to come work for him, rather than the competition. The goal: to create a work-space that was "hip," "productive," utilizing a lot of natural hardwoods and steel, being "open" and "collaborative," with alternative / collaborative workspaces, and places to "get away and do heads down work."

Existing Conditions:

Location & Size
4th, 5th & 6th floors of 612 Hamilton Street, Center City, Allentown, PA
16,000 sf total area
Future Basement Recreation Room and Rooftop Patio (in progress)

Program Elements:
(18) private offices, to include President, HR, VP-Sales, VP-Marketing, and Project Managers
(60) developer workstations, with ability to grow up to additional 20 more
(2) secretary/assistant workstations
(1) reception / executive assistant workstation
(2) large collaborative conference rooms
(2) small conference rooms
(8) “Scrums” – quick ad-hoc meeting spaces
All conference rooms to be arranged around monitor to allow collaboration on developer work, and teleconferencing.
“Flex” zones for collaboration
Multiple/various alterative work areas
Future expansion to include basement “rec room” and rooftop patio (in progress).
Right-size toilet facilities for disproportionate male/female ratios.
Community Café space
Gallery

Design Criteria:
• "Open" plan with high visibility throughout. No "black box" private offices.
• Acoustically separated offices for people who are on the phone a lot, or who need privacy for "personnel" issues.
• Ditto conference rooms.
• Really good acoustics.
• Excellent lighting to reduce glare and reduce "cave effect" (like their original office)
• No typical cubicles. Promote collaboration.
• Allow for personalization of space (but not too crazy), and a decent definition of "my space." Not a lot of personal workspace needed.
• Visually connect the various floors (additional floor openings other than stair shafts not allowed).
• Utilize lots of natural hardwoods and steel and glass.
• Lots of technology requirements, including many monitors, power connections. Make the technology "visible."
• Lots of alternative spaces for quick collaborative meet-ups; lots of white board space.

Sustainable Strategies:
The primary goal of the Owner was to move his offices from a suburban setting to a densely developed urban one, with the hope that his employees will locate to local housing and commute by bicycle or bus, thus re-energizing the center city.

To that end, we adapted an existing building (Core & Shell by others, except where we altered it to make the program work). We provide bike racks and shower facilities in basement (in progress), and parking is remote to the building.

We upgraded the Core & Shell HVAC to a high efficiency VAV system.

We provided astronomically-controlled 5% openness roller-shades to minimize glare and heat gain, and to reduce overall heating loads.

We provided daylight-sensor lighting throughout, and occupancy/vacancy sensors in all rooms. All lighting is low wattage, dimmable fluorescent and LED.

The design was purposefully "bare," utilizing the existing wood floors and exposed concrete and brick of the shell building as finishes as much as possible.

We eliminated a dropped ceiling, and used a cellulose acoustic spray throughout to give excellent acoustics. This also allowed for a plenum-less design, reducing materials, as the building is un-sprinklered.

All materials and finishes were low-VOC, low-emitting type. Locally sourced and recycled/recyclable materials were used exclusively.

We utilized locally sourced, reclaimed hardwood for many of the finishes; all other millwork was FSC certified.

All of the plumbing fixtures, including faucets, are low-flow or dual-flush type.

From a program-standpoint, we eliminated a large "auditorium" type conference room for company meetings - opting instead to utilize existing spaces available locally in the downtown area.

We made sure everyone has views, and natural day-light. We also endeavored to so locate desks and workstations to be perpendicular to, and away from, the curtain wall windows for more comfort.

All of our custom-designed furniture and fittings were fabricated locally.