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

| Apr 11, 2012

Corgan & SOM awarded contract to design SSA National Support Center

The new SSA campus is expected to meet all Federal energy and water conservation goals while achieving LEED Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council.

| Apr 11, 2012

C.W. Driver completes Rec Center on CSUN campus

The state-of-the-art fitness center supports university’s goal to encourage student recruitment and retention.

| Apr 10, 2012

JE Dunn completes two medical office buildings at St. Anthony’s Lakewood, Colo. campus

Designed by Davis Partnership Architects, P.C., Medical Plaza 1 and 2 are four-story structures totaling 96,804-sf and 101,581-sf respectively.

| Apr 10, 2012

THINK [about architecture] Scholarship enters 15th year

Students are invited to submit two-minute creative videos that illustrate how they interact with their school's design and what the space makes possible.

| Apr 10, 2012

Structured Development & Bucksbaum close on new retail site in Chicago

The site is the location of New City, a mixed-use development that will feature 370,000-sf of retail space and 280 residential rental units.

| Apr 10, 2012

Moriarty & Associates selected as GC for Miami’s BrickellHouse Condo

Construction of the 46-story development is schedule to get underway this summer and be completed in 2014.

| Apr 6, 2012

Flat tower green building concept the un-skycraper

A team of French designers unveil the “Flat Tower” design, a second place winner in the 2011 eVolo skyscraper competition.

| Apr 6, 2012

National Association of Women in Construction forum to be hosted in Philadelphia

The April Forum, titled “Declare your Independence!” will feature educational sessions on topics ranging from Managing the Generation Gap and Dealing with Contract language across state borders to Strategic and Succession Planning.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




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