Perkins+Will Offices – Seattle
Design firm Perkins+Will designed their own offices at the end of last year, located in Seattle, Washington.
Perkins+Will’s new award-winning Seattle office in the iconic Rainier Tower accommodates a growing practice while reflecting the building’s history and creating a toxin-free workplace.
Minoru Yamasaki’s Rainier Tower is a historic landmark in downtown Seattle. The new office design resonates with this legacy by the respectful re-interpretation and adaptation of existing motifs and materials. The tower’s iconic base is clad in penny tiles and the circular geometry and materiality became a recurring motif used throughout the office interiors. In the Level 23 elevator lobby, the warmth of the original Breccia Damascata marble remains visible through back-lit perforated metal panels, allowing a glimpse at history while representing the Perkins+Will brand.
To demonstrate Perkins+Will’s long-standing commitment to creating healthy, sustainable environments, the design team used the Perkins+Will Precautionary List to create a toxin-free office. The list consists of 25 substances that Perkins+Will has classified as chemicals of concern due to their potential harmful impacts on human health and/or the environment. Interior finishes were carefully selected to avoid chemicals identified. 94% (32 of the 34) finishes and products evaluated comply with the Precautionary List standard.
Daylight modelling and analysis informed key interior design decisions—from space planning and colour palette to the placement of window shades.
The open floor plan was divided into two zones: Parlour and Studio. The Parlour consists of the reception area, cafe, and primary meeting spaces. The orientation of the Parlour takes full advantage of the unobstructed views to Elliot Bay and beyond. The Studio is a contiguous work-zone anchored with a variety of flexible, collaborative spaces. All workstations have full sit-stand capabilities to foster an active workplace.Encircling the core of the office, the Gallery unveils the architectural design process in its entirety—from concept sketches and study models to completed project photographs.
Elements of surprise are embedded throughout the functional workplace. The interiors of phone booths, closets, and millwork cabinets have vibrant splashes of colour waiting to be discovered.
The project is one of four Perkins+Will offices that received the 2017 Good Design is Good Business Award from Architectural Record, and has been honoured with the Interior Design Institute of British Columbia Shine Awards of Excellence Award of Merit.
Design: Perkins+Will
Photography: ye-h photography
