Many times in Inspiring we have talked about the industrial style as one of the most popular trends in new office design. Well, today we want to introduce you to a project that was born authentically from that industrial spirit and how the reform of a large shipyard on the San Francisco wharf. This great project was carried out by the studio Wong Donn Logan Architechts in 2017 and later enabled as headquarter Company Taste for the study gensler, specialists in office interior design. As you can imagine, both the reform of the building and the final project have received multiple awards from magazines, associations and institutions, given the great heritage value that supposes the recovery of these hundred-year-old shipyards.

company philosophy

Every office interior design project starts with getting to know the company well, not only what it does, but also the philosophy it transmits to its employees. Therefore, we do this brief profile, because many actions have been thought around the function and corporate image of this business.  

Taste is an online platform that helps small businesses take care of their equipment: complete management of payroll, health insurance, human resources and team management tools. Gusto's offices in Denver, San Francisco and New York currently serve more than 100.000 businesses across the United States.

Ultimately, Taste has been created for modern employers, providing a de human resourcesIt's cloud-based, easy to use, and backed by expert support. No need to outsource. Gusto handles payments to employees and contractors and also electronically handles the paperwork necessary to help businesses comply with tax, employment and immigration laws. And all from your portal. It is not surprising that behind Gusto there are some well-known names in the technology services industry, founders, among other platforms, of Dropbox, Youtube, Yelp or Google.

The reform of the building

The intervention of this historic building by Wong Donn Logan Architechts was a particularly difficult challenge, as it is an old building located in a seismic zone like San Francisco. In addition, it had been abandoned for years and exposed to the elements and acts of vandalism, which became in danger of collapsing at the first tremor.

The project started from the concept of “building within a building” to preserve the historic brick walls of the perimeter, thus reducing the cost of temporary shoring and preserving the openings of the interior spaces. The spectacular volumes of the original structures were restored, while the mezzanine, bridge and stair inserts were used as internal diaphragms to resist the side loads. Conference rooms and other scheduled functions are independent elements within the large volumes.

Restaurants

To keep the wonderful brick walls and, at the same time, strengthen the structure, were placed steel columns and straps strategically placed throughout the ship to minimize the visual impact. The contribution of this project to the city and industry has been immense, as it revitalizes dilapidated facilities to turn them into a place of work and public meeting. Precision work was required both to restore deteriorated areas and to fit the new building components into the existing structures, which are highly complex and diverse. The aim of the project was always preserve and repair salvageable items. If they could not be saved, a replacement element or material was sought that was historically compatible and respectful of the environment.

Low level

The laboratory, office, shop and kitchen spacesa are located below the new mezzanine, contributing to sound insulation, temperature control and dust containment, while maintaining a voluminous social space and shared in the center. Architectural lighting shapes spaces, defines function and highlights iconic industrial artifacts such as original yellow cranes.

the mezzanine

Una ladder Design made of black laminated steel, like the structure, leads to the mezzanine, although the facilities also have an elevator. around the big central courtyard, different were distributed offices and meeting rooms, all with glass partitions. The corridor that borders the patio is also used as a work and meeting area. And a curious fact: all employees go in socks. From above, you can see the wooden locker to deposit the shoes.

The activity of this human resources management company was very important when it came to organizing the spaces and involving its own workers experiencing the new spaces through virtual reality. "Lead by example" could be summed up the philosophy of this project. By honoring Gusto's culture and transforming a open and demolished space, a part of the history of San Francisco and the evolution of one of its most recent businesses was supported.

Photos: Rafael Gamo via OfficeSnapShot