38 Newbury Street

An open office plan in a historical building along Newbury Street in Boston was designed for a real estate development company. During the exploratory phase, a panel formed vaulted concrete structure was revealed when the existing plaster ceiling was removed. This moment of realization focused the ceiling as a main design feature and evoked an architecture of connectivity between spaces.

Select transparency between office free standing casework walls and the implementation of clerestory glass allow visibility of the ceiling from multiple vantage points and visual connectivity for individuals utilizing the space. These two features create a balance between the users awareness and programmatic privacy.

LED up-lighting highlighted the unexpected design feature and additional soft surfaces such as wall panel office dividers, and carpeting were employed to address acoustics from the hard concrete ceiling and glass surfaces. A simple monochromatic material palette of glass, steel, light woods and finishes compliment the concrete to create a unified space. The overall composition results in an arrangement of surfaces and materials in which a contemporary office may remain visually connected to its user, historical context, and architectural features.