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
Office Buildings | Mar 3, 2021
Turano Baking Company’s new HQ and test kitchen completes in Oak Park, Ill.
Wright Heerema Architects designed the project.
Office Buildings | Feb 26, 2021
KWK Architects repurposes industrial site and warehouse into office space for Washington University School of Medicine
The project’s first two phases have been completed with the third and final phase under way.
Coronavirus | Feb 24, 2021
COVID-19 spurs need for specific building solutions
A medical supply house’s new call center and a vaccination module that can handle more patients faster are among the latest projects.
Market Data | Feb 24, 2021
2021 won’t be a growth year for construction spending, says latest JLL forecast
Predicts second-half improvement toward normalization next year.
Office Buildings | Feb 18, 2021
Bungie breaks ground on new, expanded HQ
NBBJ is designing the project.
Great Solutions | Feb 11, 2021
Simplifying the return to the office
A new web-based tool from Sasaki takes the guesswork out of heading back to the workplace.
Office Buildings | Feb 8, 2021
Walgreens Technology Center of Excellence completes in Chicago’s Old Post Office
Stantec designed the project.
Office Buildings | Feb 8, 2021
Six lessons learned from our first Fitwel Viral Response Module certification
The Fitwel Viral Response Module is one of several frameworks that real estate owners and operators can use to obtain third-party certification for their efforts ensuring their properties are ready for a safer and healthier return to work.
Building Owners | Feb 4, 2021
The Weekly show, Feb 4, 2021: The rise of healthy buildings and human performance
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders from Brookfield Properties, NBBJ, and UL about healthy buildings certification and improving human performance through research-based design.
Office Buildings | Feb 3, 2021
NBCU News Group unveils new Washington bureau and studios
The project spans six floors and 80,000 sf.