Project Architect/ Designer: Adams-Frasch Design
Claudine Frasch, IIDA
Katherine Stempien
Product: Tuohy Uffizi desking, HMI Eames Guest/Conference Chairs, David Edward Guest Chairs, Meridian filing, Brazo task lights.
Lounge Areas: Nienkamper, Shelton Mindel, Hans J. Wegner & Hudson.
Conference Rooms: Tuohy Conference Tables, HBF Cadre Conference Chairs.
Project Completed: October, 2008
Project Location: 250 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Venture capital firm, Foundation Capital, is a leading investor in early stage green technology companies. Tthe project allowed Foundation Capital to consolidate staff from three locations into one building. Their directives were to design solutions for lasting success. The project site is a two-story 1950’s Spanish Colonial Revival style stucco building with covered entries, courtyard and pitched roofs.
The primary project goals:
1. To create a “home away from home.”
The reception area, with reclaimed wood flooring and a gas fireplace, sets the tone for the interior. The design blends the historic references of the exterior with new modern technologies and furnishings. Indirect lighting is used throughout to provide soft, ambient light levels. Warm, neutral colors and materials contribute to the inviting, comfortable feel of the spaces.
2. To create an open, collaborative workplace.
Existing interior bearing walls were removed in order to provide open spaces and views. New steel structural columns and beams were added. Interior office fronts are fully glazed, with large sliding doors to define private office space without limiting views out through the exterior windows. Partner offices furnished with meeting tables or soft seating, in addition to indoor and outdoor informal lounge spaces, allow frequent group interaction.
3. To organize the office plan for efficiency and flexibility.
Visitors arrive in a centrally located reception area. Separated from the office areas, a conference suite is provided with various sized meeting rooms, a lounge space and pantry. Partners are grouped together in the largest wing, and administrative staff occupies the smaller wing. The second floor is furnished for entrepreneurs-in-residence and guests. The outdoor courtyard patio space is a break area and party space, with direct access to an interior kitchen.
4. To achieve a high level environmental rating within the confines of tenant improvements to the existing building.
New building systems were installed throughout in order to provide increased energy efficiency, water use reduction and improvement of the indoor environmental quality. Additional sustainable strategies included asbestos abatement, specification of low-emitting materials, introduction of daylight to the interior spaces and provision of individual controls for lighting and HVAC. All existing exterior windows were replaced with new double-pane, low E units. Many wood products are FSC certified. The project is pursuing LEED Gold Certification and is currently under review by the USGBC.
"The Foudation Capital Project used many high end manufacturers and custom solutions. The CRI team was able to ensure the details and quality of materials involved in the furniture solutions were maintained throughout the process, and that the final product exceeded the client’s very high expectations."
-Claudine Frasch, IIDA
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