The design strategy for this renovation project relies heavily on two simple strategies. The first, opening the space up to allow for sight lines all the way through the building in two directions—resulting in outside views in three of four directions while standing at the center of a square building. This also allows natural light to reach the center of the building via large expanses of floor-to-ceiling glass wall divisions, five layers deep.

The second strategy uses bold colors in response to the project’s tight budget. The idea began as an insistent imposition of the color green along the flat surfaces of a pair of 120’ green view tunnels. The green tunnels intersect perpendicularly at the center of the building, which is emphasized by a contrasting magenta color on the ceiling and floor surfaces. The two-dimensional layer of color played out in interesting ways within the imperfections of the rough tenant infill project, translating from paint into carpet and millwork where needed. The intersecting view tunnels create a collage of reflection and transparencies against the rest of the stark white and grey space.