Project Description
Located in a small West Texas Town- this original one story retail building sits among many found in small towns across the Country-typically abandoned due to a lack of interest for new use and finding that new structures being an easier choice for any retail or office need. The Owner approached the Design team with a unique challenge- to see what could happen to change the street appearance of a Payless Shoe Store into a new home for a Realtor Agency. Finding this unique challenge of Interest, the Design team and client looked at how to create a vibrant new street appearance to capture the attention of drivers along the Main street that connects highways on both ends of the small City. Along with the street appearance, the Design concept focused on creating a new way of working for the Realtor Offices-with the idea of a Starbucks or an Apple Store in mind-where curious guests come and enjoy the experience of a space and hang out because of it. The new workplace concept was built upon the idea that the users are mobile-doing most of their business at home, in their car or at showings, and only coming to the office to finalize paperwork or for an initial meeting. With this in mind, the traditional office spaces were left behind, and an open and unique co-shared working environment housed within the building that transformed allowing for many more employees than the 4000 s.f. shell could house with traditional offices. The developing design concept was clear, however engaging local trades to understand the unique minimalist design became difficult and hard to translate due to the distance from the Design team, located six hours away. Starting with readily available products from IKEA and Home Improvement Stores and shipping to the site allowed local trades to install the kit of parts. As the building was located in the heart of the recent Oil and Gas industry boom, local steel metalsmiths were engaged to create the unique steel additive elements for the building to garner the new look from the busy main street traffic. The unique steel frame street appearance- lightly attached to the original structure and pre-manufactured offsite for quick installation- allows for a dramatic and cost effective change. The steel frame entry, complete with a naturally rusting steel frame surrounding the original glass storefront greets new clients. Once entering into the light filled lobby, two main conference rooms sit on opposite ends allowing for a comfortable space while their business engaged. Mimicking the steel wall of the exterior- the back of the Reception desk screens the open office area from the reception, designed and built to allow the only natural light from the front window to filter through the gaps in the steel. 6 multi-staffed offices with glass French barn doors line the exterior walls with the center spaces to be open, allowing the natural light from the front entry window to filter into all of the spaces. A cloud of steel panels floats above the central cubicles concealing the original mechanical systems, allowing focus from the front reception to the back kitchen. Two lounge areas are located on opposite ends of the kitchen Island where Agents engage a co-worker or allow prospective clients to sit comfortably and informally while finalizing their new home purchase/sale. With a very tight budget, the project focused on maximizing every purchase to maximize a new appearance working space for each specific need. Working with the existing building elements by exposing them allowed for the unique loft feel of the space. The original carpet tile removed and existing concrete floors sanded to expose a unique patina sealed finish, By removing the original ceiling tiles, the exposed steel frame of the roof system gave dramatic height and painted a light white color to reflect as much light from front to back as possible. The new building is a lantern from the street, with locals and travelers pausing and pulling over to find out what is happening along the Main street that connects different freeway systems through West Texas. The uniquely crafted building has allowed for such interest that local Art shows are being curated to engage the public interest-currently showing local buildings and spaces around the City. The renovated structure-which pulled from the original- allows for a new opportunity for salvaging and utilizing similar structures along the Country, showing that interesting and engaging design and creativity isn't only for the larger Cities.