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When North Coast Electric started looking for a building to house its corporate headquarters, few would have guessed how close to home they would end up.
Initial searches focused on existing office space near the firm's Bellevue, WA headquarters, with uninspiring results. Architects from Olympic Associates Company encouraged company leaders to shift their attention to the firm's existing warehouse in Seattle's industrial but increasingly popular SODO district. OAC architects' familiarity with the client and a firm understanding of its needs helped create a corporate space that celebrates North Coast Electric's craft. Designers preserved the voluminous feel of the two-story, tilt-up concrete warehouse space by creating an initial atrium entryway just inside the loading dock doors. This transitional zone between indoor and out gradually introduces the visitor to the voluminous space within, while telling the story of the building's renovation through exposed steel framing and raw materials. OAC architects and engineers made the portal frame into an architectural design element, creating a full-glass wall in the double-height space fronting the new offices. New window elements were inserted into the concrete walls. A new elevator was designed as a freestanding tower; added to the face of the building as a vertical contrast to the predominantly horizontal composition. New sun shades, canopies, and guardrails were designed in galvanized steel to emphasize the industrial aesthetic of the building and the environment and to contrast with the warmth of the exposed, heavy timber and wood-trussed mezzanine insertion. The mezzanine offers 10,000 sq. ft. of built-out office space over a 10,000-sq.-ft. showroom at ground level. While the lower level sales area is North Coast Electric's formal presentation space, OAC architects designed the entire building to act as working showroom. Electrical conduit, switches and breaker boxes throughout the building are open to view, and each office features a different type of lighting system. Structural and mechanical elements are left exposed, highlighting the builders' art. OAC designed all structural elements, all architectural insertions, and all interior fittings. On November 28, 2005, the project was featured as the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce's Project of the Week. Read article. In December 2005, North Coast Electric's headquarters and Alexander Lighting's showroom won NW Construction Magazine's "2005 Best Tenant Improvement" award. Read article. |
Location: Seattle, Washington Project Area: 26,000 sq. ft. |
