With a goal to represent the client’s appreciation for their employees and members through design, the architect was challenged to create a space that would elicit feelings of warmth and connectedness along with promoting a healthy work environment. It was important that the designed elements in the space encourage people’s vertical movement throughout the building without the need to utilize the elevators.

Interior materiality for the project is simple and honest, and this includes many areas with naturally finished hardwoods. For the palate of materials in the atrium, the design team utilized white oak for the glue-laminated structural members, instead of a more typical softwood, as white oak is the predominant wood material throughout the building. This includes the structural columns and lateral braces for the atrium curtain wall system and for the public stairs the treads, landings, and ceilings.

The public stair was designed to float within the space, with the only connection to the ground happening at the base of the stringers. The entire stair is supported by two tension rods connected to a beam hidden in the ceiling. The glulam treads are plate supported to allow them to be experienced from below or above.