Three-dimensional Artifacts as Design Elements

As we were designing the stair and the element below it, we had been discussing the sculptural aspect of the stair and the strong angular structural form of the building and its steel structure.

In our renderings we always pointed out the space below the stair would be a perfect location for an object and how something could be reflected in the pool of water below the stair.

They did not hire us to coordinate any art but we would occasionally have side conversations with the client design team about their art and give them our opinions when asked.

One of the Senior Partners had this sculpture personally commissioned. He asked us to give him opinions on scale and how it should be mounted in the pool but otherwise we had no idea what it was going to be. We were so surprised and pleased when we went in 3 months after move-in to photograph the space and saw how perfect it was. The stainless steel material and curved form makes this sculpture a perfect counterpoint to the architectural design of the space. Magic can happen!

I like to look for art that stimulates thought and helps people to think bigger (or outside the box). Art helps us to challenge conventional thinking and reframe the way we look at the world. Placing art outside of meeting areas or areas of deep concentration can help individuals to get out of their head space just for a moment. Similar to meditation art can help people decompress. Have you ever got lost in a painting? Simple moments like that really do help people to change gears from task-to-task. Art can help to energize people, bring people together and even challenge their ideas. The placement of these pieces is important for dynamic interaction.

In order to decide which external art to feature in a space, I must first understand the client – not only what they do, but also what they want people to feel when walking their space.

In the case of Virgin Voyages, the client is in the nautical industry so I wanted to incorporate a water element in the art that I chose. However, simple is not on-brand for this client – they wanted their employees and clients to feel bold, playful, and cheeky when touring the space. I felt like the bath tub fit perfectly within that category – and the client couldn't agree more.

Active Network kept asking us for bigger, odder, and more whimsical ideas...so one night, the lead designer on the project and I were up late digging around odd recesses of the internet trying to scrape together a furniture package that was strange enough, but not too strange...that’s when we found these giant inflatable dog sculptures. We loved them, but quickly found ourselves in a deep existential argument over their purpose and greater conceptual significance to the project. We eventually decided they were ‘too fluffy.’ No way would he have the patience for something so devoid of function. The next day we presented our hearts out, and most everything we showed was approved. When we were finished... there was one thing they wanted to add themselves. One thing the CEO found that he liked better than anything we had shown. He passed his phone across the table, and showed us a picture of those exact same inflatable dog statues. So by god, he got’em.

The stair sculpture was inspired by conversations the design team had with senior leadership of Abt associates during our 2 ½ year strategy and design process. Abt is comprised of “Bold Thinkers Driving Real-World Impact.” This statement was translated into a physical design by our design and experiential graphics team as a red curving metal ribbon—the red metal strips (representing their “Bold Thinkers”) traveling through and connecting the horizontal and vertical space above the stairs (representing the “Real-World Impact”). A part of this experience also lives on the stair itself—a timeline celebrating special milestones or successes for Abt Associates.