Contract Magazine - January/February 2019 - 65

The building's past and future
are seamlessly woven together,
with old and new details both
complementing and contrasting one another throughout
the space (opposite). Original
building features are purposefully restored and showcased,
while new details are modern
and bold (this page).

at the start that our brief was to do as little with the building that was necessary
Atlanta's Westside continues to evolve, as developers convert vacant land,
to make it a functional office, because it was so cool already," Woehrmann says.
warehouses, and factories into vibrant neighborhoods, award-winning restaurants,
"The Gensler team did an amazing job of maintaining the authenticity of the original
and office spaces. Fitzco / Momentum / Weber Shandwick recently enlisted Gensler
structure, with all its ruggedness, beauty and quirks, but it feels so modern
to convert Miller Union Stockyards, a former slaughterhouse in the area, into
in its functionality." c
a multifaceted workplace for its three marketing and communications companies:
ad agency Fitzco, brand experience group Momentum Worldwide, and PR and
communications firm Weber Shandwick.
"Reflective of our roots as a company that was born here in Atlanta, we chose
Project Credits
Selected Sources
the neighborhood and building because they have a deep and rich history but are
in an exciting state of transformation to their next chapter and new uses," says Matt
Architect and interior designer Gensler Wallcoverings Carnegie Xorel;
Woehrmann, CEO of Fitzco. "Similarly, inside, we needed a space that was modern and
Gensler project team
Flavor Paper; Designtex
that would inspire creativity, innovation, and open collaboration; but it was important
Stephen Swicegood, principal-in-charge; Paint Benjamin Moore
that the design remain true to history of the building and maintain the rustic beauty
Michael Lutz, design director; Erin Greer,
Laminate Formica; Arborite; Nevamar;
inherent in the original materials."
project director; Derek Hudson, project
Wilsonart
Built in the early 1900s, the 45,000-square-foot Miller Union Stockyards
architect; Sarosh Ali, project architect;
Wall Tile Daltile; Ceramic Technics
space sits adjacent to the city's railroad tracks, which allowed for easy access
Gail Malone, interior designer; Tabatha
Movable walls Dirtt
to transportation during the bustling livestock era. Throughout the building's history,
Janna, project architect
Hard flooring Ceramic Technics
additions were added to the original structure, resulting in a hybrid of construction
Contractor Gay Construction Co.
Resilient flooring Mohawk
types, which include differing column grids, floor level changes, and varying ceiling
Lighting One Lux Studio
Carpet/carpet tile Interface/FLOR
heights and wall construction types. "Brick walls, large glass and steel windows,
Engineering M2 Structural (structural
Ceilings Armstrong; Tectum
and timber ceilings are all parts of the original building character that the design
engineer); Newcomb & Boyd (MEP)
Interior lighting Architectural Lighting
team embraced and strove to preserve and integrate into the reimagined space,"
Works, USAI (recessed lighting); Zaneen
says Michael Lutz, designer director, Gensler.
(track lighting); Sesco Lighting
In addition to exposing and celebrating the existing finishes, the design
(fluorescent/industrial); Schoolhouse
team also worked to preserve the original experience of spaces. Comprised of a mix
Electric, Arteriors (floor/table lamps); Flos,
of high- and low-light areas, the re-envisioned layout maintains the moodiness of
Sonneman, Vibia, Tom Dixon (pendants/
the original space while also supporting the workplace strategy to provide a variety
chandeliers); Noir (sconces)
of experiences within the office. While each agency has its own distinct neighborhood
Workstations Knoll
of workstations and offices in separate parts of the open floorplan, the shared spaces
Seating Knoll (workstation/task);
include the reception area, pitch rooms, conference rooms and third-floor hosting
Allsteel, Andreu World, Phase Design
space. The entire volume is organized around a central common space on the lower
(conference); Naughtone, Coalesse, Hans
floor which sits underneath a dramatic skylight. "Liminality and duality is a theme
Wegner, Blu Dot (lounge/reception);
that runs through the design," says Erin Greer, project director, Gensler. "It is a space
Industry West (cafeteria/dining)
that stands between what was and what will be. It is also one of multiplicity with
Upholstery Knoll; Camira; Unika Vaev;
three agencies working together in one space."
Designtex; HBF; Luna
Additional features include a new front porch made of steel beams-a nod
Tables Davis, Two Chair Studio
to the building's industrial nature and southern roots-gathering areas on the backside
(conference); Poltrona Frau, Phase
of the building that look out at the schedule of CSX freight trains, and a small loft
Design (cafeteria/dining); custom by
space that once housed an authentic bank vault and now serves as unique
Mortensen (reception desk); Moooi, Four
conference room.
Hands (side tables); Knoll (other tables)
Authentic to its location and roots, the creative office is filled with light
Architectural/custom woodworking
and activity, offering an ever-present feeling of the history of the building. "We joked
Mortensen
contract
Contract Magazine - January/February 2019

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