CLIENTArent Fox

SERVICESInteriors

LOCATIONWashington, DC

SIZE235,000 sq ft

STATUSCompleted 2013

STUDIOS Architecture was retained for a strategic programming and site search investigation of Arent Fox’s D.C. headquarters office, which had occupied the same space for over twenty years at Connecticut Avenue and L Street, N.W.

STUDIOS participated in the negotiations with the development team to incorporate design modifications to the base building necessary to establish a build to suit facility for Arent Fox’s long-term occupancy.

STUDIOS designed a new build-to-suit space for this law firm’s Washington, DC headquarters near farragut Square. The result is a bright and dynamic environment that caters to both employees and client. Enveloping the programs with various materials ranging from grey stone to warm woods, as well as introducing bold red separates each room seamlessly without feeling lost within the space.

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STUDIOS

Key elements include:

  • Formal reception space with physical and visual connection to building lobby
  • Visitor focused conference center on a prominent corner of the floorplate
  • Tiered seating auditorium within a generous spatial volume
  • Multiple break-out areas for pre-function
  • Casual and formal reception/social events
  • Slab openings on typical office floors for visual connections among the multiple floors occupied

The design breaks down the distinction between the offices on the primes sides of the building and those that are not by visually opening up the interior spaces and establishing a draw towards the non-prime side of the floor for collaboration and support functions. These open work areas are intended to be flexible areas capable of supporting the departments or law firm practice support functions, including litigation and case management.

STUDIOS created a design that brings together the variety of the program elements and specific functional and cultural needs of Arent Fox into a cohesive office environment.

Part of STUDIOS’ success in the design was the tweaking of base-building design during construction. The collaboration between all trades allowed the interior spaces to be molded to the client’s needs. From there, the spatial design and materiality dynamicaly introduces program and circulation while seamlessly solving any issues such as security and collaboration spaces.

Awards and Press

  • 2015 AIA NATIONAL HONOR AWARD FOR INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE —
  • 2013 AIA DC MERIT AWARD, INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE —
  • 2013 INTERIOR DESIGN BEST OF THE YEAR —

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