Van Dam Inc.
Information Design Office
NYC, NY
The program for this project was a mix of open office space for
graphic designers, semi-private offices for sales representatives,
a warehouse for storing maps and atlases, and a more private office
and conference area for the companys president. In moving
from a more traditionally cellular office to an open loft space,
privacy, security, and personal territory were of particular concern
to the client. Given that the project location was a floor through
loft with natural light limited to the south street front and
a north-facing light shaft, our proposal would also need to address
light and visual comfort.
The proposal developed from an understanding of the different
needs for employee interaction or privacy and use of simple materials
and construction methods in response to the tight construction
schedule, budget and limited lighting conditions. Through this
use of corrugated fiberglass, acrylic and polycarbonate panels
on stock aluminum sections we were able to fulfill the owners
request for a light and fluid space. Sliding
fiberglass doors to the south were designed to allow extensive
light to penetrate into the center of the loft while permitting
a variety of open to closed configurations. The warehouse space
was masked by a backlit acrylic wall. A counter top, which transforms
and takes on different functions along its length, links together
the different work areas.
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