Studio Commercial

No longer can the quality of the office environment be taken for granted. The sophistication of today's workforce has grown to now understand the values of time, space and interaction. Employees today are selective. They are thoughtful. They have choices.

How does ones environment go beyond merely supporting the basic principals of human safety and comfort to further affect the spirit, emotions and creative productivity of people? How can the environment, occupied over eight hours a day, be inviting, safe, pleasing, nurturing and conducive to positive interaction?

"I want to be here". This sense of well-being and satisfaction with ones daily experience can be enhanced by conscious collaborative design.

We understand the need to provide alternatives, which support the culture your company has embraced. We know the value in attracting the best and the brightest and retaining them over time. Architecture Inc. offers the tools allowing you to create the new, improve the existing, or regain the exceptional.

This sets us apart.

HCI Technologies
Dulles, VA

This project consisted of a 30,000 square foot Tenant Build–Out for the relocation of this telecommunications and information technologies company. The design was a contemporary concept with large curved walls, bright colors and exciting details along with a large Conference/Board Room. A contiguous Network Operations Center was provided along with Departmental Systems Furniture, a Production Warehouse, a Staff Cafe and other Support Services.

Navy Museum Annex
Washington, DC

The Model Basin was annexed by the adjacent Navy Museum established in 1961 (renovated 1999) and was planned for the newly established Cold War & Korean War exhibits. The Museum & Annex are intended to “inspire, inform, and educate service personnel and the public in naval history, traditions, heritage, and scientific contributions.”

The $3 million renovation begun in 2001, was designed to transform the deteriorating Model Basin into a state–of–the–art museum while highlighting the historical nature of the building itself. A free–standing cable suspended glass and steel canopy topped with U.S. naval flags, denotes the new entry to the building and brings a nautical perspective to the building’s exterior, while providing visual connection across the plaza to the main Navy Museum Building.

Leesburg Business Park
Loudoun County, Virginia

These highly-articulated tilt-up concrete buildings were constructed on a high-visibility site within the Town of Leesburg. Building 1 is a single-story 22,500 square foot flex / condominium building and building 2 is a two-story 36,000 square foot flex condominium building. Each level of building 2 is provided with on-grade access.

This project received the 2007 NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties) Award of Excellence for Best Speculative Building for an Industrial Warehouse.

Architecture, Incorporated Design Studio
Reston, Virginia

Architecture Inc has grown and recently moved to a new office in Reston, Virginia. The 13,000 square foot space was a natural for Architecture Inc. in many ways. It is open, bright, on grade, and will achieve a LEED™certification from the US Green Building Council. The design concept was to provide a studio environment that encouraged designers to interact, experiment, and explore opportunities in an open volume, reminiscent of their design studio days.

The vacant shell space included a 2,500 square foot garage, previously used as a vehicle assessment facility by USAA. The space was reclaimed and made whole by installing fifty linear feet of retractable exterior glass walls creating a conference room, kitchen and staff lounge as an extension of the design studio. To further improve the space, asphalt drives surrounding the "garage" on three sides were removed and replaced with a 4,000 square foot floral garden.  

With the new conference and kitchen opening up to the garden, the space literally becomes multi-purpose with wireless internet service, flowering trees, and tall grasses. The space will be used by staff and clients alike for outdoor meetings, social events and charitable fundraising.

The open plan preserves daylight views throughout. Large glass panels layered with oversized sliding birch panels create several discrete, yet flexible, work spaces. Work stations are generous, with low drywall partitions that sit on 6" faired birch legs. The open ceilings allow for a twelve foot high volume. A ten foot diameter "phone booth" provides a private space for clients and staff alike to make private cell phone call. This circular room accommodates three for quiet discussions and coffee.  

Oversized three foot by three foot ceramic floor tiles establish public zones and "main streets" connecting the lobby to the rear garden. This "Main Street" is separated from the studio by a fifty four inch tall birch veneered wall stained a deep coffee brown contrasting with the crisp white ceilings. 

Lighting is calculated. The lobby and formal conference rooms are illuminated with thin recessed fixtures, three inches wide and eight feet long.  White oversized drum pendent shades define seating areas and conference tables. Halogen pin lights and ceiling mounted pinpoint task lighting illuminate the work stations.

The space is clean, comfortable, and flexible with red fabric club chairs, light gray textured area rugs and neutral tone walls and ceilings.

Kettler Capitals Training Center
Arlington, Virginia

Architecture, Inc. provided the design of this new 145,000 square foot facility that is a public/private sector joint venture project to be built on top of an existing 7–story parking garage in Arlington. The project includes 2 full size NHL ice rinks, a 20,000 square foot training center and 28,000 square foot of corporate office spaces. Arlington County and the Washington Capitals are committed to developing an energy–efficient and environmentally–friendly facility that will serve as a model for future projects developed in Arlington County and beyond. The facility was designed to achieve a LEED™ 2.0 certification standard as developed by U.S. Green Building Council. The rinks opened in late 2006 and the Capitals have been occupying the facility since early 2007. This project received the 2007 NAIOP (National Association of Industrial and Office Properties) Award of Excellence for Best Building Build to Suit over 150,000 square feet.

 

Big Buns
Arlington, Virginia

In early 2006, Architecture Inc. joined forces with two young entrepreneurs to create Big Buns Gourmet Grill.  Their vision was to create the best fast-casual restaurant in the Washington DC metropolitan area.  They wanted the first venue to look, feel and operate as if it were the fiftieth.  Architecture Inc. took that vision, from pencil sketches and rough graphics, to a sophisticated, well branded operation.  Nestled in an urban courtyard in the Ballston Corridor of bustling Arlington, Big Buns’ first 2,000 square feet store includes an outdoor beer garden, full grill & kitchen, beverage & condiment station, and custom designed furniture and furnishings.  The branding of the store was critical to the success of the space, and was incorporated throughout, from design of the menus, to the wrought iron “brand” on the custom millwork.  Clear finish birch veneer plywood, stained concrete floors, galvanized metal, wooden pallets and the signature Big Buns green define the space.  Oversized, galvanized industrial canopy lighting and green spiral ductwork accent the volume.  Local photography and distinctive artwork complete the design.  The success of both the space and their Big Buns Burgers & Brew are evident from the line of customers stretching out the door on any given evening.