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Seating and model display area (right), and main conference room (center).
orderliness of the perfect grid of columns was also and presentation” (the northwest space) and
appealing, notwithstanding that, at approximately 14 “welcome” (the northeast space adjacent to the suite
feet by 16 feet, the grid entailed about four times as entrance). A kitchen tucks into a small bit of space at
many columns as a modern space would have. It was the far northeast.
also known that the columns were steel and, although Between the “floating box” and the workstation
much greater in number, much smaller than modern area is a passageway, on axis with the suite’s entrance
concrete columns would be. but not centered on the space. During demolition, the
The previous tenant buildout had drywall furring terrazzo flooring of the original corridor (which would
over almost every vertical surface, with dropped have been a common corridor, based on how offices
acoustical tile ceilings. Partitions chopped up the space, were typically arranged at that time) was revealed. In
hiding the column grid and reducing the impact of the what Klinner called a “happy accident,” it is centered
windows. The infrastructure of the modern office— on the space—which is to say, offset from the new
IT and fire alarm wiring, power conduit, sprinkler passageway—creating a compositional tension. The
pipes, and mechanical ducts—was concealed, but in contrast of the terrazzo’s ragged edges with the super-
a couple of locations, the underlying terra cotta block clean lines of the new millwork and glass walls further
ceiling and steel columns were revealed, and it was the enhances the dynamic character of the space.
potential they suggested that inspired Studio Twenty The terrazzo was restored, literally to high polish,
Seven’s design concept. but missing areas were not replaced. Adjacent concrete
The decision was made to strip away as much as floors received similar treatment: ground flat with
possible, revealing the original structural materials, imperfections not only kept but celebrated.
colors, and textures. In particular, said Klinner, “We The ceilings were trickier. “This isn’t traditional
wanted to celebrate the perfect grid of [steel] columns. design,” noted Klinner, but that doesn’t mean that
We wanted to use historic remembrance to do more the firm took an anything-goes approach to the
with less.” This approach was catalyzed when initial incorporation of the “systems” (pipes, ducts, conduit,
demolition revealed the elaborate riveted plates at the telecom wiring, and hangers) or the necessary patches
tops and bottoms of the columns, and when a residual in the structural ceilings. Quite the opposite, in fact:
strip of terrazzo flooring original to the building “Everything had to be closely considered.”
was uncovered. A certain amount of compositional randomness
The suite is conceived as one open space, with a is inherent to the appeal of a “loft”-style interior, but
“floating box” inserted at the north side containing modern ceilings must accommodate a lot of elements,
several meeting rooms. Workstations for 18 staff each coming with a disparate set of code and functional
(representing the current complement plus some room requirements. Without significant and ongoing
for growth) line the south side of the space. Bookending planning, coordination, and oversight, it devolves
the “floating box” are soft furniture areas for “breakout quickly into a messy thicket.

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