Project Data:

Completion Date:     12/7/2019

Square Footage:      35000

Building Use:           Property Management

Project Description:

When Goldrich Kest (GK), a privately owned real estate builder and property management company, decided to remodel its corporate offices in Culver City, the task was daunting. The building held significant meaning for the family-owned business which had occupied it since construction in 1977. The goal was to retain the spirit of the building while implementing major sustainability upgrades and reimagining the interior to reflect a modern workplace.

For the exterior, our team envisioned a new skin in sleek gray tones to celebrate the building’s unconventional shape and create a striking silhouette from street view. Protecting on-site existing trees was a priority—they now shade the new stucco and metal façade. All new glazing and improved exterior assemblies, along with a new roof and mechanical systems, vastly improve the building’s energy efficiency.

A welcoming entry greets visitors with warm wood and crisp linear lines. Inspired in part by GK’s long history as a builder, linear elements throughout evoke drafted linework and city-street grids. The interior layout was completely renovated down to the original structure. We collaborated with the general contractor, to navigate the many unexpected aspects of this historic building’s construction. The primary goal of the interior was to convert a maze of small hallways and rooms into an easy-to-navigate, open, and light-filled space. The new layout allows employees to experience the unique shape of the building as they move throughout. The building’s construction type allowed for an open egress stair: the central stair now opens to a wood and smoked glass element with a new skylight above, encouraging employee movement between floors. An open breakroom with a new exterior patio as well as a gracious board room complete the suite of employee and visitor spaces.

As a finishing touch to the design, signage and furniture were closely considered. We created a suite of bespoke signage and room graphics that link all spaces throughout the building, complementing the custom designed workstations and private offices geared to GK’s needs.

With this new design stage for its legacy building, the company looks forward to many more years of its thriving family business in Southern California.

Firm Name:              IA Interior Architects

Completion Date:     12/7/2019

Square Footage:      35000

Building Use:           Property Management

Location:                 Culver City, CA

Project Description:
Design for Integration: This project focused heavily on the existing structure and landscape to create a timeless building that the company will treasure for many decades. The connection to the family legacy and pride of place in the community were fundamental to the vision for the project.

Design for Energy: A primary goal was the creation of maximum energy efficiency through new façade assemblies, new glazing, new roof, and new mechanical and electrical systems.

Design for Well-being: Employee and visitor health and happiness were basic to the project team’s design goals realized through the following strategies: increased natural light and connection to the exterior; increased physical movement through horizontal circulation legibility and emphasized vertical circulation; an inclusive entry and welcome point design for all visitors; biophilic patterns of material that connect nature, prospect, and refuge.

Design Architect:
IA Interior Architects

Associate Architect or Firm:
N/A

Landscape Architect:
Rios Clemente

Owner / Developer:
Goldrich Kest

Engineer:
Davidovich Associates

General Contractor:
Driver SPG

Consultant:
Structural: Brandow & Johnston
Civil: David Evans Associates

Photographer:
Benny Chan