Akridge Offices – Washington DC
Gensler redesigned Akridge's office in DC, creating a modern space that pays homage to the building's history, with organic patterns, architectural materials, and increased collaboration areas.
Gensler transformed a dated and closed off space into a bright and open office for Akridge located in Washington DC.
As one of Washington, D.C.’s longstanding developers, Akridge is a leading visionary in real estate who enriches communities through its thoughtful approach to shaping cities. Located in the Homer Building, one of the oldest and most elegant pieces of architecture in downtown Washington, for more than 30 years, Akridge decided to pursue an in-place renovation to introduce new ways of working while representing its values and process. The resulting space reveals an elegant push and pull between modern and traditional, offering a new perspective juxtaposed to the historic structure that serves as a testament to Akridge’s stronghold in the District.
From the onset, Akridge worked collectively with Gensler to collaborate on a design for a modern workplace. Workshops with Akridge’s team revealed that an important part of the design approach was to pay tribute to the structured grids of the Homer building, while simultaneously contrasting it with organic forms. Inspired by the willow oak trees that line the streets downtown, a delicate laser-cut patterned screen covers the 30-foot wall behind the reception area. This statement piece brings in organic movement and creates a strong first impression. As you enter the workplace, the pattern is repeated by wrapping the columns along the central collaboration area that connects the offices.
The visual experience of the space is enriched by lasting architectural materials: wood, concrete, glass, and metal. The use of these core materials, expressed in their true form, encompasses Akridge’s approach to not only their own space but many of their iconic projects in the city.
With a transformative new layout, the workplace design represents a progression for Akridge. Decreasing office sizes allowed for a gain in collaboration areas, such as a working cafe, coffee bar, and lounge. These central spaces have led to improved engagement and cross-connection between Akridge’s development, project management, leasing, investment, and property management teams, supporting employee socialization as well as the overall synergy of the business.
Design: Gensler
Contractor: HITT Contracting
Furniture Dealer: MOI
Photography: Devon Banks
