Southern hospitality with an industrial vibe and an emphasis on community, sustainability, creativity, and functionality are at the heart of IA’s new studio in Atlanta. After 20 years at the same location, the new venue expresses IA’s growth and creative dynamic in Atlanta and the Southeast. As the first tenant in T3 West Midtown, a heavy timber commercial building offered by developer Hines, the design team took full advantage of the architecture’s distinctive timber column and beam construction, complemented by open ceilings.
Throughout, each space and design element speaks to purpose and connection. Shunning the traditional underutilized reception area, visitors are warmly welcomed by a modern interpretation of the screened porch with parlor tables, chairs, and a striking custom-designed sofa.
A direct view to the pantry reveals a substantial black-marble communal table that invites gatherings and celebrations. Adjacent to the entry, the library showcases the firm’s design process.
Two art installations within the large conference room pay homage to Southern craft: an inventive commission of the acronym ATL in cross stitch and an adjacent series of embroidery hoops each creatively designed by one of IA’s 23 studios.
Working project boards along corridors activate circulation zones and are ready to be pulled into any setting—breakout areas, meeting rooms with state-of-the-art video conferencing, and private phone rooms. With interior spaces positioned at the core, the open studio enjoys both views and a flood of natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows.
As project planning began, Fitwel certification and sustainability were priorities. This is the first IA studio to earn Fitwel certification, with many more projected to follow in line with the firm’s goals for the environment. Points were earned not only for building amenities—a park, roof garden, fitness center, adjacency to metro—but for IA’s initiatives and the policies around nutrition, which define acceptable fare, take into account ingredients and caloric limits, and even provide a list of nearby restaurants that meet those requirements. Recommending that Hines heighten signage and policies restricting the use of tobacco was an additional plus, and IA is now assisting Hines with evaluations to consider Fitwel certification for the building.
The workspace is energized and connected more than ever before to support and nurture IA’s culture of innovation. The focus on natural materials, sustainability, and wellness aligns with the firm’s vision and mission.
Located in the popular Atlantic Station district, within walking distance to showrooms and industry activities, the new studio is an ideal venue for hosting clients and local chapters of the many professional organizations with which staff is affiliated, including IIDA, AIA and CREW, as well as student and community events. A true home away from home for the IA team, the new workplace engages all visitors and staff with the warmth and confidence synonymous with experience-centered design, hospitality, and IA’s global leadership.
IA is a global firm of architects, designers, strategists, and specialists. We focus exclusively on environments through the lens of interior architecture—a radical idea in 1984, when IA was founded. We are highly connected agents of change, committed to creativity, innovation, growth, and community.
IA is a global firm of architects, designers, strategists, and specialists. We focus exclusively on environments through the lens of interior architecture—a radical idea in 1984, when IA was founded. We are highly connected agents of change, committed to creativity, innovation, growth, and community.