Design team creates new statement in a familiar place.
On a timeline, 10 years appears as a speck. But when it comes to design preferences and styles, a lot can change in only a decade. Perhaps that is why designers at Design Collective Inc., Columbus, OH, were called back to Pizzuti Development, Inc., a client from 10 years ago. According to David F. Cooke, FIIDA, principal, Design Collective, the real estate development firm's chairman, Ron Pizzuti, wanted "something new to stimulate the organization." So, the objective was not to re-work the entire space, but to create a new design statement.
The two original signature elements of the space -- the front entrance reception desk and waiting area as well as Pizzuti's office -- were targeted to establish the new statement. In addition, a new floor was designed and connected to the existing space with an internal staircase, creating a total of 30,000 square feet on two floors. The entire office space was re-carpeted and re-colored to reflect the lighter, clearer color palette of the 1990s.
For the receptionist's desk, the designers decided against the monumental piece of the past and turned instead toward a more delicate, jewelry-like desk symbolic of the future. The solution was a four-pronged, stainless steel frame that mounts directly into the concrete floor. New uplights highlight the steel prongs, which have a patinaed finish that is textured with burlap. This steel frame supports a sliver of glass that is the desk's transaction counter.
A new cube desk in ebonized wood was fabricated off-site to reduce down-time while replacing the original desk. New carpet, reception furniture, custom end tables, flower cube and artwork were added to the space after it was re-colored with a lighter paint value. Pizutti's private office changed in response to the way he uses the space. "Many people use an office in a classic business sense," says Cooke. "Ron, on the other hand, practically lives in his office. Therefore, the space had to be less formal for long days, but always appropriate for holding important business meetings."
The office "living room" furniture, then, is soft and comfortable. Cushioned, suede chairs and a sofa are covered with a textural upholstery fabric. A foliage patterned area rug centers the seating on a honed travertine floor. For more serious discussions, a conference room abuts the private office. New full-height wood and glass doors separate the room from the office. A private and concealed passage door provides a rear entrance to the conference space from the secretarial area.
Pizzuti's desk was moved from one end of the space to an alcove at the other end, thereby giving him a new perspective on his office and the view. A major architectural change in the owner's office was to take the previously wood-clad convector units and deepen them to frame the windows with more drama. The additional depth also provides more shelf space for storage and display.
The units are topped with a ledge of honed travertine, the same material as the floor -- and the same color as the floor, as well as the walls -- for a look that is unified and well-detailed. Ledges provide additional display space for the avid art collector's sculptures. A new soffit casing at the ceiling line frames the windows, the art and the view. Automated shades, controlled from a master power switch, adjust light levels without fully opaquing the skyline view.
Built-in glass shelves and additional wall space provide more opportunities for displaying other artwork, books and awards. One additional design feature is a unique private bathroom that has a European pedestal sink and custom storage niches.
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