The new Long Beach, Calif., headquarters of Laserfiche, a provider of intelligent content management and business process automation software, was built on a brownfield parcel previously considered undevelopable. The project began with capping eight abandoned oil wells and included the removal of several storage tanks. The 102,840 sf development consists of four floors and a parking garage. The building can accommodate 550 full time in-office employees, or up to 750 hybrid workers.
Constructed on a prominent corner of a new tech corridor in northern Long Beach, the building’s design gives nods to a garden office structure across the street designed by Mid-Century Modern architect Ed Killingsworth. The scale and style of that iconic building provided a design reference point. The massing of the structure is turned 90 degrees and stepped back at the upper floors to relate to the scale of the garden office. The upper floors then slide to shade the building on the south face and create decks on the north face for socializing and connecting to nature via treetops and mountain views.
The building core is located on the west facade to minimize the need for windows, resulting in a dramatic reduction of afternoon heat gain. Moving the core from the center of the building to the western edge also created an expansive connected work area providing flexibility in the work environment. Two locations have dramatic double height spaces. One, located at the entry, provides for a two story “outdoor porch” and lobby with a tranquility koi pond. The second location, called “Skylab,” is positioned on the top floor with views of downtown Long Beach, the Pacific Ocean, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This a flexible “ideation space” for employee teams and serves as a beacon to motorists traveling on the busy 405 Freeway.
Each floor features individual work areas, large and small conference spaces, and expansive flex areas that can be rearranged with mobile furniture. Wide and naturally lit stairwells connect all levels, providing inviting passageways that encourage use to promote health and wellness. Natural wood, stone, and concrete paired with the brand color of dark blue and distinctive orange guide and define the palette.
The project aimed for LEED Platinum. The design considers water consumption and rainwater retention, as well as energy uses, air quality, and ventilation. Vertical and horizontal fins increase energy efficiency and promote thermal comfort by providing solar shading to the building. All employees have access to natural light at their workstations.
On the Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: Laserfiche
Design architect: Studio One Eleven
Architect of record: Studio One Eleven
MEP engineer: Southland Engineering
Structural engineer: Structural Focus
General contractor/construction manager: Millie & Severson
Related Stories
| May 15, 2012
Don’t be insulated from green building
Examining the roles of insulation and manufacturing in sustainability’s growth.
| May 15, 2012
SAGE Electrochromics to become wholly owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain
This deal will help SAGE expand into international markets, develop new products and complete construction of the company’s new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Faribault, Minn.
| May 14, 2012
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture design Seoul’s Dancing Dragons
Supertall two-tower complex located in Seoul’s Yongsan International Business District.
| May 8, 2012
Skanska USA hires Zamrowski as senior project manager
In his new role at Skanska, Zamrowski will serve as the day-to-day on-site contact for select Pennsylvania-based projects during all phases of construction.
| May 3, 2012
Best commercial modular buildings and marketing programs recognized
Judges scored entries on architectural excellence, technical innovation, cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, and calendar days to complete.
| May 1, 2012
Time-lapse video: World Trade Center, New York
One World Trade Center, being built at the site of the fallen twin towers, surpassed the Empire State Building on Monday as the tallest building in New York.
| May 1, 2012
Gilbane to build $100 million cranberries manufacturing facility
Gilbane to provide design build services for a new Lean manufacturing facility for Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., beverage products.
| Apr 30, 2012
Summit Design + Build completes build-out for Office Concepts
The project is seeking LEED ID Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.