Firm: IA Interior Architects

Project Name: Qualtrics Seattle

Project Statement: Located in an existing 38-story core-and-shell office building in Seattle, the first-generation buildout for a confidential technology client spanned a total of 275,000 square feet across 13 floors.

While this client’s plan for growth required a substantial increase in size from their old space, they still wanted to retain their “start-up” company mentality and aesthetic. The first step in our process was to capture their unique “scrappy” culture with a material concept of simple and raw materials coined as “Industrial Minimalism.” The base palette consisted of concrete, steel, wood, and glass, setting the stage for the layering of environmental graphics, furniture, and other materials such as carpet and paint.

The second step was to capture both company and Seattle culture together in a design concept that reflected their values and the Seattle vibe. The team developed the idea of a “Hero Path,” a vertical and horizontal circulation experience based on their established “Hero Space” standard. The “Hero Path” spreads out over several floors connecting spaces vertically by a shifting stair on floors 16-8 and horizontally through a meandering path on each workplace floor. This quarter-mile journey weaves vertically and horizontally by a coffee shop, a beer hub, a café and their all-hands meeting space and each stop along the path reflects Seattle Culture from beer to music to coffee. It also responds to one of their key culture aspects of encouraging walking meetings.

Throughout each workplace floor, a sealed concrete ribbon organically weaves around each desk area connecting to conferencing, collaboration zones, libraries, kitchenettes, and restrooms. Seen as another Hero Path of sorts, it meanders through each floorplate with no straight lines connecting people and places.

As one of the key element for the building’s LEED certification, chilled beams run along the ceiling. They are a highly energy efficient way to cool and heat a large, open office space. Existing furniture, including desking power rails, were reused from their previous office throughout the 13 floors. Many locally sourced materials were used in the design including one key material. As a nod to the timber industry and its historical importance in shaping the economy of the Pacific Northwest, both our client and our design-build team wanted mass timber and natural wood to be a main element in the design of each floor. To accomplish this, Swinerton and our team partnered with a local supplier to use locally sourced timber. The office’s custom-designed “Brew Hub” for coffee on one floor and “Beer Hub” on another floor serve as one of the key focal points where employees can socialize over a cup of Seattle’s favorite hot beverage or a cold brew on another.

For Well-being in the downtown Seattle environment, employees and business partners are provided with a panoramic view of Mt. Rainier to the south, the Olympics Mountains to the west, and the Puget Sound centered in between. The design provides equitable views across all floor plates, prioritizing connection to nature and light for all. Wellness and Mother’s rooms were also designed on each floor in addition to heathy food options offered in the café.

Nancy Heywood
Principal, Project Manager
Clark Pickett
Design Director
Abigail Metcalf
Designer
Kristen Cooper
Project Architect
Ken Hamm
Senior Job Captain
Jonathan Wood
Technical Director

General Contractor | Swinerton | Brian Stewart | Superintendent

General Contractor | Swinerton | Ethan Zisk | Project Manager

General Contractor | Swinterton | Andy Ochs | Project Manager

Structural Engineer | DCI | Bruce Zhomg | Principal

Structural Engineer | DCI | Robyn Yang | Senior Project Manger

Lighting Consultant | PLS | Anna White | Lighting Designer

Owners Representation | Westlake Consulting Group | Bhavik Rao | Project Management