September 7, 2023 – When it came to their Sacramento headquarters, LPAS Architecture + Design (LPAS) sought to transform the way a hybrid workforce of 60 employees felt about coming to the office for work. Starting with a 1925 industrial building brimming with character, LPAS designed a 12,000 sq. ft., two-story open and inviting hub of collaboration, creativity and belonging that supports the way teams work together.
The new LPAS space, listed on the Sacramento City Historic Register, was once used as a manufacturing and warehouse facility. Architectural features, such as a 100-year-old gantry crane and refurbished vintage skylights, were preserved while new elements like expressive floor-to-ceiling wall art by a local muralist were added.
Beyond its authentic and inviting aesthetic, LPAS’s office was designed to embrace the firm’s culture of collaboration. It has become a hub where staff can grow and be enriched by their fellow workers in ways not possible when solely working at home.
The open layout is centered around project teams rather than functions and features unassigned workspaces. This allows people across three disciplines – architecture, interior design and landscape architecture – to work alongside one another for more effective teaming and cross-pollination of ideas. Lockers provide storage for the day or indefinitely. Project islands with worksurfaces and storage serve as central spots for collaboration. Idea sharing tools are everywhere with places for pinning visuals, whiteboards and computer screens. A glass wall system with sliding panels adapts so spaces can be closed off to control sound yet maintain the open and airy feeling. Panels can then slide out of the way to reopen the space for enhanced connection or to host clients. A Pergola architectural interior space provides a multifunctional alternative to a conventional lobby – it offers visitors an immersive perspective of the office’s bustling activity as well as a versatile meeting space for team members.
The lower level of the building features abundant natural light for focus spaces. Individual workstations provide places to work without distractions. Huddle rooms with acoustic privacy are designed for meetings or for conferencing with someone working remotely. A library serves as a space for research, where team members can access resources and share ideas with colleagues.
The café provides restorative opportunities for staff to take breaks or engage in spontaneous conversations. Fencing and planters with vines have also been added to the former alley behind the building to create an outdoor space. And, LPAS offers the benefit of allowing team members to bring their pets to work, including a pet washing station.
Haworth’s dealer partner, Western Contract, led this project.
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Haworth helps create inspirational spaces. As a leading global furniture maker, the company is steeped in workplace expertise that fuels innovative designs for optimal performance. Haworth is a values-driven, family-owned company with an entrepreneurial spirit and a design-forward approach. As a multicultural organization, the company embraces the strength that comes from diversity of thought. At Haworth, we believe great spaces empower people to thrive. Founded in 1948, Haworth operates in more than 150 countries through a global network of 400 dealers and 8,000 employees. Headquartered in Holland, Michigan, U.S.A, the company has sales of $2.5 billion USD.
Founded in 1978, LPAS provides services in architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design. Their client projects include higher-education, civic, mixed-use, and commercial developments; adaptive re-use of historic structures; multi-family housing; and public and commercial office buildings.