Tucked into an urban precinct of Oakland, California, stands a classic work of architecture that was built in the early 1900s. Formerly called The King Building, it stands over a bustling city crossroad in brick and mortar, keeping the ever-evolving and all-encompassing urban fabric at bay. As a perfectly preserved four-story building that nods at its heritage past, its interior anatomy on the 3rd floor reflects another message, one that constantly stays in sync with the world outside.
The interior fabric that hides in all secrecy behind a very classic shell of architecture, manifests a tasteful fusion of old and new aesthetic elements that together conceive a unique workspace environment. What’s interesting about this composition is that it goes beyond the manifestation of just tasteful aesthetics. It is a union of design and scientific engineering that forms a unique workplace infrastructure, encapsulating a one-of-a-kind healthy environment.
The office translates into a creative pod for the masterminds responsible for the conservation and redesign exercise. They belong to SERA Architects, a Portland-based, 100% employee-owned design practice well-lauded for historic preservation and sustainable placemaking in America for over five decades.
The SERA Architects Oakland office design is an important project on the firm’s portfolio as it reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability. It also creates the best representation of the firm’s values and culture to its employees, while also showcasing the company in the best light possible to clients.
Image: Open Office
Many decisions about the project’s design were taken with the employees’ well-being firmly in mind. These aspects would positively affect their lifestyle outside as well as inside the work environment.
Craig Rice, a Senior Associate in SERA’s Oakland office says,
“One of the things we value the most is the health and wellness of our people. Our goal was for people in the space to be healthier by being there than if they would be at their home or outside, even.”
A lot of thought went into choosing an appropriate location for the new outpost. Oakland offered better living affordability to raise a family; great urban culture and a value system that matched the firm’s; easy connectivity and transit to the office, made easier with installed electric bike charging stations for environmentally friendly travel. All these factors were favourable conditions for the SERA employee to grow and thrive in downtown Oakland.
The innate characteristics of the building were brought to life by exposing a large open floor plan; 13ft high ceilings; exposed brick, timber and steel. Veiled with large arched fenestration along the edge, the quality of light filtering through the open floor layout was perfect to bring the raw unfinished surfaces to the fore.
To celebrate this raw heritage canvas and at the same time transform it into a healthy environment, careful consideration was given to the following aspects:
The office redesign manifests an open plan arrangement that instils better flow and visual connection. The layout seamlessly unfolds into informal discussion spaces, workspaces, a waiting lounge and a conference room. Clear-glass partitions used to enclose the conference room maintain high visual permeability, adhering with the concept.
Toxic materials are often used in interior design projects wherein occupants inhale or come in contact with harmful chemicals released by these products.
To negate the implications of chemicals from the pre-redesign finishes, the interiors were stripped of all toxic materials used in past renovations of the building. Materials like carpet and adhesives dating back to 2001 renovations, water damaged casework and subfloor, vinyl window shades, and fluorescent tube light fixtures, were removed from the facility.
Before and After renovation images: Collaboration Space
Before and After renovation images: Collaboration Space
Before and After renovation images: Open Office
Healthy materials replaced toxic ones in the form of:
The recurrence of wildfires in Northern California kindled the need to have a form of air quality control system that could ensure the safety of the firm’s workforce.
Today the office is the first of its kind along the West coast with the ability to mechanically measure and monitor indoor air quality/filtration with the RESET standard.
Unintentionally and coincidentally, this system became pivotal in keeping harmful viruses within the office environment at bay, like Covid-19.
Through the ever-changing course of a project, multiple team reevaluations and discussions are inevitable. To make the process seamless, the office is converted into a state-of-the-art audiovisual workplace that enables employees to collaborate with clients or with the Portland-based office team.
Many of the finishes that dress the office space emulate the natural Californian landscape. These elements perfectly complement and flatter the innate characteristics of the pre-existing raw interiors. For example, the warm hardwood floors are a reinterpretation of the ancient mud beds of San Francisco Bay
Image: Artist Meghan Shimek at work
An artistic expression of the California ancient oak tree savannas adorns the entryway of the office.
A countertop covered in salvaged glass and tile shards mimics the beach.
Fabricated artworks were locally sourced to amp up the aesthetics of the spaces.
Commissioned carpets in neutral tones further reinforce the biophilic ambience.
The above components together contribute to the design innovation of a futuristic, health-sensitive environment, all the while paying homage to an elegant building of yore. A stage set with a strong foundation for future growth and sustainability.
A majority of today’s workforce spends more than half of their lifespan in a work environment. Thus, employee well-being is indeed a paramount topic that needs to be addressed, and more organizations must step up their game to ensure that basic work environment standards are met. The SERA Architects Oakland office space design takes it to the next level, ensuring inside and outside office well-being and growth, which is rare to find in most company infrastructures.
We hope their example will pave the way for better office space designs and bring about awareness to elevate the employee status on a more respectable pedestal.
