2013 BOY Winner: Extra-Small Office

The irony wasn’t lost on principals Primo Orpilla, Verda Alexander, and Denise Cherry when they heard that this developer of mobile apps, looking for bigger headquarters, had set its sights on. . .a shuttered printing plant. Opting to preserve the three-story, 4,200-square-foot building’s concrete interior walls and exposed wooden beams was the first decision. Then came the interventions. In reception, a blackened-steel screen and canopy are laser-cut with squares spelling out codes decipherable to those versed in programming, while above the swooping concrete desk hangs Ron Gilad’s arachnoid chandelier composed of radiating task lamps. The vibe turns mod ski chalet upstairs, where a podlike suspended fireplace is ringed by George Nelson’s Coconut chairs. His fellow mid-century stalwarts Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen make multiple appearances elsewhere. Built-ins play a part, too. Felt-clad booths serve as touchdown spots for small meetings or individual work, and the basement café’s leather-upholstered banquettes are a great place to enjoy either a fast-paced video game or a slow-aged bourbon.  

Project Team:
Clem Soga; Neil Bartley; Caren Currie; Elizabeth Guerrero; Alma Lopez; David Hunter; Jeorge Jordan.