Flash 8 Required
Fresh Ideas Group & Joe Knows
Boulder, COWhen two marketing communications agencies decided to share office space, they described their goals as "fertile and nurturing" and "magnetic and pliable." The end result provides a "conscious" workspace for these agencies whose client list is dominated by the natural foods and healthcare industry. The colors chosen by the interior designers - burnt orange, deep golden mustard, and Scandinavian blue, create a functional yet fun space for staff and visitors alike. Some of the pro-environmental building techniques used include the use of Parallam, operable windows, non-toxic paint, used high-efficiency water-conserving appliances, and flooring made from recycled bicycle tires in the stunning, gourmet kitchen. The heart and hearth of the office is used for natural food demonstrations and immediately puts visiting clients at ease. It also provides a relaxed break area and a gathering place for teams. Countertops throughout are granite slabs recycled from other buildings, and fixtures such as bookcases were recycled from recently closed stores. Another key feature includes recycled Herman Miller workstations. The contractor offered the agencies the option of re-using the gray fabric cubicles at no cost other than moving expenses. By re-upholstering the panels from a color palette chosen by the designers, each employee customized their own workstation, and the agencies saved approximately $5,000 per station over new cubicles. The President of one agency said, "We did this whole space in about three months time from signing the lease to moving in. We're thrilled. I think people who are timid and are concrete thinkers would not have done well here. You just have to be a bit of risk taker."