Title: Arnstein Office Renovation
Location of Proejct: Knoxville, Tennessee
Project Completion Date: June 2013
Firm Name: BarberMcMurry Architects

Short Description: An office renovation located in the first steel frame high-rise built in downtown Knoxville. Built in 1905 by Max Arnstein, the "Arnstein" building once housed one of downtown Knoxville's finest retail stores. Falling into disrepair, the building was renovated into one of the few true mixed use developments in downtown Knoxville with retail on the ground floor, office space on the second and third floors, and residences on the upper floors. The design of the office renovation serves as a catalyst to redefine the mission and culture of the occupying business.

Architect's Statement: Founded in 1915, a local design practice has seen its office space migrate, over the course of nearly 100 years, from the urban core of Knoxville to the suburban periphery. In recent years Knoxville has experienced a resurgence in its downtown. Realizing their current suburban isolation from downtown and the creative class within, the design practice sought a return to its previous urban home. Presented with a unique opportunity to partner in the renovation of Knoxville’s first high rise, known as “the Arnstein”, the design practice seized the opportunity to relocate. Built in 1905, the Arnstein department store was Knoxville’s first steel frame high-rise at 7 floors and is located within the city center, adjacent to parks, and a vibrant market square. Over time, the Arnstein had evolved from department store, to offices, to vacant building. Partnering with the developer, the practice took procession of the second and third floors, ideally suited to a design studio environment as each floor is endowed with exceptional floor-to-floor heights and a mezzanine floor between. The existing lower levels of the building were allocated for retail, while the fourth through seventh floors were dedicated to residential use. Moving from the suburbs, the practice sought to eschew their previous office environment which was defined by walled offices, limited natural light, and views of an adjacent surface parking lot. Arnstein offered a chance to redefine the practice: spaces and people would be connected and boundaries eliminated; and opportunities for collaboration would be prioritized and enhanced. The renovation would respect and celebrate the existing architecture; juxtaposing a new minimal modern interior against the historic. The renovation would also exhibit thoughtful material choices, celebrate daylight and views, and conserve energy and resources. The office is one of the first commercial interior LEED Silver renovations in East Tennessee.

The "public" front door to the practice is located on the third floor. This floor contains administrative support work areas and glass enclosed conference spaces for client meetings. Careful coordination of the ceiling design allowed services from the apartments above to be hidden while still exposing the historic plaster column capitals once hidden from view. The second floor houses the design studio and provides space for the entire creative team, including the firm’s leadership. By placing leadership and design staff together, communication and collaboration is enhanced. The aura of inaccessibility generally bestowed on a senior level partner is removed and a greater understanding and appreciation for everyone’s contributions is achieved.

The design sought to keep the new interior detailing clean in order to minimize distraction from the Arnstein’s historic grandeur and celebrate the extraordinary views of downtown Knoxville. Where possible, the existing historic elements, such as plaster columns and maple floors, were exposed, refurbished, and reused. New design elements were detailed to contrast against the historic ornamentation. The major design move within the space is the removal of a portion of the third floor to allow a new monumental stair to be inserted. This insertion allows a physical, as well as visual, connection between the two floors of the practice. The stair design incorporates solid surface material for the treads and landing and was selected for its durability, slip resistance, versatility, and economy. Solid surface is also used generously throughout the design for countertops, walls, and cabinet surrounds. Each meeting area is provided a wall surface clad in marker board laminate to allow for designs to be taped up, reviewed, and sketched beside; enhancing the design work-flow through critique and collaboration. The interior color palette is limited to white with the exception of a blue ribbon element that ties the second and third floors together. The richness of the wood floors, in addition to the color & texture of the adjacent exterior surroundings when viewed through the large existing window openings, imbue the space with a warmth that might otherwise belie a “modern” interior. The design strives to allow views and natural light to penetrate the workspaces, decreasing the reliance on artificial light while increasing employee satisfaction. In achieving LEED Silver for Commercial Interiors, careful attention was paid to daylight harvesting, energy efficiency, material selections, and resource conservation.