The Wilderness Society Offices – Washington DC

The design of The Wilderness Society's new Washington DC office better reflects and furthers the organization's conservation mission to protect American wilderness across 44 states.

Firm
  • Client The Wilderness Society,
  • size 23,000 sqft
  • Year 2021
  • Location Washington DC, United States,
  • Industry Non-Profit / Government,
  • sshape reflected the work of The Wilderness Society in the design of their offices in Washington DC.

    Since 1935, The Wilderness Society (TWS) has worked to permanently protect vast swaths of American wilderness across 44 states. With attitudes in the conservation world-changing with the times, TWS retained sshape to create a new, 23,000 square foot workplace that would meet the moment. sshape helped TWS update its brand with large-format environmental graphic lobby installations that speak to the connection between people and nature and acknowledge the importance of native lands and diversity in the outdoors.

    While the organization’s workplace culture required retaining private offices, sshape seized opportunities to create open, collaborative spaces. In the communal breakroom, sshape used textured ceiling elements and loft and booth seating to create a warm, residential feel, and power to plug in when needed, every seating area can be a flexible workspace. sshape also helped TWS disperse its collection of Ansel Adams photography, previously displayed in a first-floor gallery in the former DuPont Circle office, throughout the workplace, providing a steady reminder of the mission to staff and visitors alike.

    Design: sshape
    Photography: Garrett Rowland