design is
a visual statement
Design Firm: IA Interior Architects
Project Name/Client: Wachovia
Project Location: Irvine, CA
Products: Freeform II, Man Made Stria, Weave Accent Tile, Ziba
What is Design?
A Visual Statement; As work space becomes more and more expensive in today’s world, especially in Southern California; the first 1000 SF “impression zone” becomes more and more critical in setting the design tone for the entire suite. The reception area shall set the tone, but the aesthetic quality of the carpeting should be carried through the space and into the open work area. The look and feel of the open workstation area should make the employees feel better about moving from private office into open workstations.
How is Design best illustrated through the project?
The carpet pattern mirrors and strengthens the architectural ceiling design through a series of overlapping axis setting visual queues and leading visitors from the main elevator lobby, through the main reception area and into the main conference center and open workstation areas. A Neutral classic color pallet was provided while providing slight variations in color through the subtle tone on tone "quarter turned" patterning to hide tracking and soiling.
Biggest Design Challenge?
1. A budget that was ½ of a typical office space in Southern California.
2. A schedule that compressed a minimum of a year’s worth of work into 6 months.
3. A newly developed prototype office design judged by the “subjective” feelings of the employees being moved from primarily closed offices to primarily open workstations.
4. Moving employees from a primarily closed office space to a primarily open workstations space, and living to tell about it.
What made it Innovative or Unique?
The carpet vendor representative helping the design team find a product that was “Green Label Certified” that also met the client’s budget and installation schedule requirements. Maintained a neutral classic color while providing slight variations in color through the subtle tone on tone "quarter turned" patterning to hide tracking and soiling.
The carpet vendor representative making suggestions in patterning the carpet, taking into the account the natural light of the space and the sheen and luster of the striated and organic carpet patterns.
How did Design make a difference?
The collaborative effort between the carpet vendor representative and the design team resulted in an installation that makes the carpet product look much move expensive than it really costs. As a result the client was very happy with look and feel of the space and, even though they were moving form private offices to open workstations, they were happy after the move-in. This success was directly related to the successful selection of the carpet product and the design team understanding the best recommended installation methods by the manufacturer's representative.
