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

| Mar 19, 2012

Skanska promotes Saunders to VP/GM of Bayshore Concrete Products

During his more than 13 years with Bayshore, Saunders has provided products for Victory Bridge in New Jersey, Route 52 Causeway in Ocean City, N.J., and for numerous piers at Naval Station Norfolk and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. 

| Mar 19, 2012

Smith Carter joins forces with Genivar

Smith Carter has a workforce of some 190 employees and designs complex buildings in challenging environments.

| Mar 19, 2012

HKS Selected for Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie

Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachiewill incorporate advanced technology including telemedicine, digital imaging, remote patient monitoring, electronic medical records and computer patient records. 

| Mar 19, 2012

Mixed-use project redefines Midtown District in Plantation, Fla.

Stiles Construction is building the residential complex, which is one of Broward County’s first multifamily rental communities designed to achieve LEED certification from the USGBC. 

| Mar 16, 2012

Temporary fix to CityCenter's Harmon would cost $2 million, contractor says

By contrast, CityCenter half-owner and developer MGM Resorts International determined last year that the Harmon would collapse in a strong quake and can't be fixed in an economical way. It favors implosion at a cost of $30 million.

| Mar 16, 2012

Work on Oxnard, Calif. shopping center resumes after a three-year hiatus

Stalled since 2009, developers of the Collection at RiverPark decided to restart construction on the outdoor mall. 

| Mar 16, 2012

Stego embarks on HPD Pilot Program

Vapor barrier manufacturer strives to provide better green choices to designers and builders.

| Mar 16, 2012

Marvin Windows and Doors accepting entries for fourth-annual myMarvin Architect’s Challenge

Architects in U.S. and abroad offered the chance to showcase their very best work.

| Mar 14, 2012

Hearing to decide fate of unfinished Harmon in Las Vegas under way

The testimony began with CityCenter consulting engineer Chukwuma Ekwueme methodically showing photo after photo of parts of the Harmon, where he and his team had chipped away the concrete pillars and beams to examine the steel reinforcing bars inside.

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