design is
form and function
Design Firm: Gensler
Project Name/Client: Gensler Houston Office
Project Location: Houston, TX
Products: Man Made Stria Tile, Man Made Tile, Yarn Tile
What is Design?
Design is always a creative balance of form and function. In designing our own offices, this balance was further defined to include four key design objectives:
1. It had to reflect who we are;
2. It had to support and celebrate the work that we do;
3. It had to incorporate sustainable design and achieve LEED certification; and
4. It had to be designed and built to a budget on a fast track schedule.
How is Design best illustrated through the project?
Gensler's identity and culture are vividly expressed throughout our space using color, graphic design elements, and a series of lighted display slots that provide places to tell our history, celebrate our commitment to sustainability and showcase our design. Wall surfaces in every design studio provide abundant pin up space for our on going work, supporting discussion and refinement during the design process. Sustainability is embedded in the design solution through daylight initiatives (open spaces and transparency), material and fixture selections (sustainable materials and sensor controls) and recycling support features (segregated disposal points throughout the space).
Biggest Design Challenge?
The biggest challenge was providing functional, well-designed space for 10% more staff within the same square footage that we had previously occupied. We accomplished this by reducing individual workspace and expanding shared spaces to accommodate meetings, presentations and other collaborative activities. Storage is accommodated in shallow "closets" that surround the core walls and conceal shelving for box storage. Layout surfaces in the design studios are supported with filing and storage components and inboard columns were extended with shelving for rolled drawings. Much of the collaborative space is divisible with movable partitions and portable furniture to provide maximum flexibility and support a multitude of meeting venues that are no longer supported in individual spaces.
What made it Innovative or Unique?
Taking a strong position on Sustainable Design was one of the most important initiatives in our design process. By partnering with key manufacturers such as Shaw, Cooper Lighting, Haworth and Knoll, we were able to fast track our research and procurement process and achieve LEED Silver certification for our design. In addition, we reused over 30% of our furniture, specified only millwork that met USGBC standards, and utilized sensor controls for lighting and plumbing fixtures. Because the project was fast tracked, our design process overlaid construction. Design sequencing was adjusted to allow the General Contractor to proceed with procurement and construction while we detailed and documented the project.
How did Design make a difference?
The design of our new office space has had a tremendous positive effect on both our staff and our visitors. It has also gained notice throughout our firm because of the innovative studio design concept (creative neighborhoods), comfortable collaborative spaces and strong reinforcement of Gensler values. Our LEED certification is an important measure of the design's success but so is the increased efficiency of the space (more people in the same amount of space), higher levels of interaction and collaboration between members of our staff and strengthened awareness and commitment to sustainability. These less measurable impacts are a direct result of physical changes we implemented in this design-- our connecting stair; our Design Lounge; our pin up spaces; and the overall quality of the design itself. As design professionals, we tend to hold the spaces we design for ourselves to a very high standard. Without question, these standards have been met in Houston.
