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Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
Washington DC

IIDA Bronze Award Winner - 2008

Thomas B. Fordham Foundation supports research, publications, and action projects of national significance in elementary/ secondary education reform. Having purchased two full floors of a 1920s building near the White House, our client wanted an office design that would reflect the company’s forward thinking culture and agenda while respecting the quality of the existing building’s architecture. The T-shaped and narrow floor plan presented a unique challenge in the configuration of the space. The client’s vision was to create an operationally divided yet open feel workspace that would visually “flow”. Each floor was taken back to shell and structure with new electrical and HVAC systems installed allowing for a full adaptive re-use of the space. The elevator location dictated the reception area while the glass walled main conference room frontally expands the overall space. The tile floor pattern used at the entry directionally reinforces the spatial expansion. To make the most of the limited space we designed the reception desk to flow into a seating area. A combination of materials such as natural woods, laminates, and glass were used in order to create a light, flowing, clean feel for the walls, floors, and ceiling features. To further develop the plan, we organized the principal spaces according to office functions. Executive offices were positioned near the conference room and reception area, while creating workstations and additional offices on the opposite side. These in turn surround a shared “Resource Room” for library materials and informal meeting space.

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