PITTSBURGH, February 9, 2017 – Leading architecture firm, IKM Incorporated opened its new corporate office at Eleven Stanwix Street this week in favor of mobility, openness, and collaboration. The future LEED Gold CI Certified suite boasts 360° views of Mount Washington, Downtown Pittsburgh and the Confluence of the Three Rivers. Construction on this project began September 6, 2016 and was completed January 6, 2017.
Highlights
Six Base Camps – Rooms are assigned to project teams or clients for use throughout the life of a project. Each Base Camp has a large format 60” monitor with computer, a writable surface wall, storage and the availability for employees to connect their computer into the space to work remotely.
Marketing & Business Development Area – Communications projects including proposals, external publications, and upcoming events are now accessible by the entire firm to foster greater involvement by architects in development initiatives.
Respite Lounges – The 15,200 sq. ft. space offers an unobstructed view of The Point to be shared by everyone along with private workroom for personal phone calls and nursing lounge.
IKM’s project architect who lead construction administration of the new space, Jason Hindes, AIA, is thrilled to see the team’s vision come to fruition: “What makes IKM unique is its emphasis on creating a long term partnership with our clients and serving as an extension of their team. This new space will bring more transparency to the process by which we understand, explore and decide how to meet their needs.”
Jonathan Lusin, AIA, LEED AP, one of the firms associates, a member of the firm’s Sustainability Cohort, and resident “guru” on workplace design: “We began this project more than a year ago, hosting ‘round robin’ discussions to determine what we value most as individuals and as a team. The question was not just of design, but how we want to work.”
Green Features
Efficiency – 100% LED light fixtures and Energy Star- rated appliances; Occupancy sensors are used in spaces throughout the new office to manage the light fixtures and conserve energy.
Lighting – 95 windows surround the entire exterior; Each window has window shades to control the amount of natural light at various times of the day.
Urban Oasis – 11 Stanwix is equipped with a gym for its tenants, bike racks, a greenhouse and garden for tenants to grow and cultivate their own produce.
John Schrott, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, the firm’s president, anticipates the positive influence this change will bring: “As intense advocates for the reimagined use of space, this new open environment not only offers a huge boost in morale among our teams but encourages a culture that supports a collaborative approach to design that will foster and promote better solutions for our clients. It is so refreshing to see the city we love and how it has transformed as we ourselves experience a similar transformation.”