Green office on a budget

October 13th, 2008

• Office Nomads is an amazing co-working space on Capitol Hill. When owners Jacob Sayles and Susan Evans opened their business in this very cool 1940’s building they wanted to give it warmth, functionality and playfulness while staying true to their green values… and keep the costs down.

• Too much to ask for a 5,000 square-foot office renovation? No way! At Natural Balance Home & Office, it is my job to listen to my clients’ needs and create a plan that fits — it’s amazing to see what a little paint, creative craiglisting and a cohesive design plan can do.

• Here were Office Nomads’ project priorities and process, all accomplished on a $2500.00 budget:

• Interior Design Goals

1. Create functional and organically beautiful working spaces to support monthly users, drop-in users and meeting/class/event needs.
2. Keep costs down to stay within budget
3. Use green consciousness in product choice
4. Value the Office Nomads community input and workplace during phased improvements

• The Process

1. Creating a style direction came first. The Office Nomads space, with interior brick walls, nicely divided rooms and pathways, and a tinge of 70’s flair, lent itself to a clean, contemporary, yet organic-feeling design. The look of contemporary antiques and accessories fit right in.
2. We chose a color palette to highlight the unique floor plan and warm neutral walls.
3. Deciding on main furniture pieces, desks and work chairs to ensure continuity and flexibility in layout and use was the next priority.
4. Choosing a striking table for the large conference room was important since this is a central focal point of the space. Jacob and Susan, with talented and crafty friends, took on the challenge of making this stunning table themselves. We added simple cherry wood chairs to complement the table.
5. The next challenge was finding couches and tables for the community work spaces. To stay on budget and commit to green design, we chose to re-use items located through craigslist and furniture liquidation stores.
6. We refurbished the kitchen with its old oak cabinets by painting them, and then added a fresh coat of paint to the walls. Repurposing shelving and creating extra counter space finished this small space nicely.
7. Adding pillows, artwork, and plants to soften the space without cluttering it gave it a nice final touch.
8. Still to be completed: Updating lighting and electrical, hanging a rotating art system, finishing out smaller conference spaces with a “library” look and back workroom called “the cave”, plus adding a community trophy wall and other personalized artistic touches.

• The Result

A unique, hip, comfortable, sustainable, playful work environment that supports all who work in the space… a home office away from home, “individuality without isolation.”

• To see this cool space in the flesh, come to the Office Nomads fall open house. Thursday, October 16 — 1617 Boylston Ave, Second Floor, Seattle, WA 98122

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