Alfred Williams & Company

Architect: Gensler (visit website)

Location: Raleigh, NC

100 Word Description: This project re-imagines a brutalist concrete box as a light-filled, gallery-like showroom for furniture and an inviting workplace environment for one of Raleigh’s oldest companies. By removing ” and recycling ” the majority of existing finishes, a clean slate allowed the building to establish an entirely new street presence. On the exterior, a façade of glass, aluminum and wood was designed as a nod to the client’s classic products which are showcased on the second floor. Inside, finishes are understated and details restrained. Every effort was made to create interior spaces in harmony with the client’s beautiful products.

Architect’s Statement: While it may seem unusual that an owner sees themselves as a collaborator first and client second, Alfred Williams proved to be an exception to the rule in all scenarios. With a focus on building strong working relationships, the company has considered a return to downtown for many years, expecting the new downtown location to perform as a catalyst for renewed energy for the company. As a member of the Herman Miller Certified Dealer Network, Alfred Williams’ return to downtown Raleigh shows renewed interest in being a part of the vibrant, urban fabric from which the company began over 140 years ago.Conceptually, this project was founded on the belief that the best ideas stem from the collaborative experience. With an ultimate goal of converting a 1960’s data center into a Class-A commercial office, the owner and future occupants requested a desirable second floor showroom above flexible lease space below. Common amenities include a shared building lobby, structured parking for occupants and guests, as well as close proximity to Red Hat Amphitheater and a number of other Downtown Raleigh amenities.Under a mandate to embrace change, subtly-crafted details were integrated into the project in way that celebrates both architecture and product design. The design incorporates the same simple, modernist palette found in a number of Herman Miller designs: glass, metal and wood. While the budget was extremely limited, design elements were emphasized at points of arrival and congregation. All other areas demanded a quieter architecture of refined detailing and material integration to provide a backdrop for product display.

Type of Construction: 1)Existing structural concrete columns and concrete slab on metal decking were preserved. The existing floor-to-floor height is 12′-8″, so the design team had limited space to work with inside the tenant spaces.2)Compliance with current exiting requirements was difficult to achieve, though with careful study and design, safe egress was dramatically improved without losing a single parking space within the grade-level structured parking to the rear of the building.3)Mechanical systems included 2 rooftop units (RTUs) with strategic placement of VAV boxes and ductwork above tenant ceilings to preserve the maximum allowable ceiling heights; articulation in significant areas create architectural interest.4)Electrical systems included all new wiring and circuitry along with energy-efficient lighting throughout. Notably, the showroom is illuminated by LED track heads and cove lighting in unconventional applications for a commercial office space.

Photography: Mark Herboth Photography LLC