The result is a setting that respects the needs of all parties while providing a very efficient and flexible work environment. Three of the walls were painted off-white, which allows other colors and features to stand out in contrast. The custom-designed reception desk and the wall directly behind it were constructed from maple, bringing warmth into the room. The stainless steel privacy screen for the receptionist and the frame for the lighting above the desk give a hint to the more structural design elements that were used in other areas. The transition from the office's more corporate to casual design approach begins in the hallway leading from the reception area to the office's other components.
Finishes peel away and change, giving way to an environment that is different yet similar.
The ceiling in the hallway was left exposed as the first reference to the more casual flavor used in the staff offices and support spaces. A maple wall on one side of the hallway, coupled with maple doors on the private offices, relates to the maple used in the reception area. The room is used for staff and client meetings and also doubles as a space for social gatherings. The four-paneled cherry doors slide open to create space for major functions. Backed with tackable panels, the doors can be used as a presentation surface when closed.