Hidden in Plain Sight

The new space for the Silicon Valley innovation center of a confidential client that focuses on web services has a central stair leading to a second floor slated for future use. No point in removing a stair that will be needed in the near future, but what to do with it in the meantime?

As an analogy, the collaborative work style and intensity of this client’s high-energy staff can be compared to a beehive. Intelligent mathematicians, honeybees create perfect hexagonal structures and work diligently with precision as if alums of the best schools of engineering. Since this client attracts some of the best talent in Silicon Valley to work on highly complex projects, IA adopted a beehive-inspired design theme that extends to elegantly cladding and obscuring the stair as a design feature.

Blackened steel laser-cut in a repetitive honeycomb pattern hides the stair and is LED backlit to change colors, controlled manually or by a timer.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad


Laser-cut steel in the same pattern enhances the reception desk; casual seating and reclaimed wood adds warmth to the area.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.


A transparent, oval conference room with retractable glass doors opens for flexibility to a larger space for events.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.


Hexagonal light fixtures carry the beehive theme through to the breakroom area. A geometric pattern is used for upholstery.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.


In the elevator lobby round mirrors at the ceiling evoke the geometrically repetitive, multi-facet eye of an insect.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

The work area for staff is totally reconfigurable. The geometric pattern on the walls echoes the pattern used behind the reception area desk.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

Photography © Jasper Sanidad.

The beehive theme, seen across the design, is functional, inspiring, and fun to support and engage this client’s industrious and creative staff.