Emerging from a pandemic-induced work-from-home regimen, Work Program Architects, a small, multi-disciplinary design firm, returned to a brand-new 4,500 SF studio, ready for a new era. Serendipitously ahead of its time, the WPA Studio was conceived to be uniquely sophisticated, yet comfortable, satisfying myriad work modes in a collaborative environment. WPA desired a space that welcomed a revolving door of guests from high-ranking political officials to people experiencing homelessness. The space had to not only showcase the firm’s abilities, but also be commute-worthy for staff and inviting to all visitors of all types.
Beyond starting the design process the same week the pandemic began, the team was also challenged by the limitations of designing under strict historic preservation requirements such as limiting walls and ceilings to the core of the building. By thoughtfully leveraging views of the urban landscape and cleverly considering the confines of the U-shaped footprint, the design team strategically planned zones for “me”- and “we”-work, maximizing daylight, acoustic separation, and views in and out.
Located in a newly developed creative campus called Assembly, the WPA Studio is a place to see and be seen alongside other innovative companies. To achieve this, both sides of the space were lined with glazing, providing daylight and a physical connection to the five-story atrium, connecting tenants and putting “process on display”. On one side, a glimpse to the conference room; a flexible space for groups to charrette, pin-up, and gather to advance concepts.
Opposite, a Resource Gallery provides a “blank canvas” with the functionality of a material and maker lab. Here, the design team tests concepts, studies materials, and brings projects to life! Three quiet rooms flank this space to support wellness, quiet work, and more.
The core is where you’ll find the studio’s heartbeat. A clever layering of spaces and bespoke architectural elements slowly invites the visitor in without revealing everything at once. Just out of view is an open kitchenette with high-end appliances to meet the needs of the team’s gatherings. Ahead, a simple, yet impressive concrete desk spanning over 9ft, sits in front of a mixed-material credenza wall, allowing filtered views in and out of the Living Room — the perfect scale for a space with ceilings over 12ft! Every detail, including a phone booth and custom-designed coat rack were carefully considered. Collaborative zones of furniture groupings sandwich the open workstations. The west end of the studio supports inclusivity and neurodiversity with movable lounge seating that provides the perfect balance of texture and color with a warm, neutral palette. The east end is an active space boasting ample digital and analog functionality, a writeable countertop, visual display boards, and a wireless display. Finally, the 30ft corridor to the Resource Gallery cleverly hides all the team’s things in a minimalist bank of casework that almost blends into the wall if not for a nostalgic rolling ladder and pop of color in a recessed bench. The WPA Studio has successfully welcomed everyone back to a new, hybrid workflow where flexibility is paramount!
