flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

11 Tips for Breathing New Life into Old Office Spaces

11 Tips for Breathing New Life into Old Office Spaces

With the slowdown in new office building construction across the country, many design and construction firms are turning their attention to office building reconstruction and interior renovations—something Cincinnati-based Hixson Architecture Engineering Interiors has been doing since its founding, in 1948.


By By Robert Cassidy, Editorial Director | November 2, 2010
This article first appeared in the November 2010 issue of BD+C.

Building Design+Construction talked to experts from Hixson Architecture Engineering Interiors for their advice on renovating whole office buildings and office interiors: Colleen McCafferty, LEED AP, Corporate Interiors Team Leader; Bruce F. Mirrielees, AIA, SVP of Project Management; and John Hudson, Director of Client Development. Here are 11 lessons from their experience that may help you in planning your clients’ next office renovation projects.

11 Tips for Office Renovation Success

1. Ask the hard bottom-line questions first.

2. Take a realistic look at the surrounding neighborhood.

3. Look for local or regional economic incentives.

4. Develop an exit strategy for the property.

5. Create a communication plan for the current occupants.

6. Capitalize on the building’s strengths.

7. Determine what features can and should be saved.

8. Enhance the property’s curb appeal and interior finishes.

9. Have a clear picture of who the potential tenants might be, and design for their needs.

10. Don’t try to do everything at once. 

11. Make sustainability part of the process.

View all 11 tips on one page.

Related Stories

| Nov 14, 2012

U.S. Green Building Council partners with Pearson

Partnership will help further USGBC’s mission by advancing green building education

| Nov 14, 2012

U.S. Green Building Council announces grant from Google to catalyze transformation of building materials industry and indoor health

Focus is on healthy building materials to promote indoor environmental quality and human health

| Nov 14, 2012

USGBC's Greenbuild International Conference and Expo kicks off in San Francisco

7,000 members of the green building industry convene for opening plenary headlined by "Morning Joe" co-hosts Mika Brzezinksi and Joe Scarborough

| Nov 13, 2012

Have colleges + universities gone too far with "Quality of Life" buildings?

We'd like your input - recent projects, photo/s, renderings, and expert insight - on an important article we're working on for our Jan 2013 issue

| Nov 13, 2012

Turner Construction’s green building Market Barometer reveals new findings on green building and certification

Respondents indicated a widespread commitment to sustainable practices

| Nov 13, 2012

Soladigm announces new glass product, changes company name to View, Inc.

Glass is installed and operating at W San Francisco adjacent to the 2012 Greenbuild show

| Nov 13, 2012

Sto Corp. announces appointment of new CMO

Bottema will be responsible for all corporate marketing, product management and sales activities.

| Nov 13, 2012

2012 LEED for Homes Award recipients announced

USGBC recognizes excellence in the green residential building community at its Greenbuild Conference & Expo in San Francisco

| Nov 12, 2012

PCI Skanska celebrates 40-year anniversary

Since its creation, PCI Skanska has provided EPC services to clients for more than 40 years.

| Nov 12, 2012

AISC launches 'Night School' online educational program

The program's weekly webinar sessions offer structural engineers a great opportunity to enhance their professional development online while accommodating their schedules.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category



Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.


halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021