DNA Workshop Headquarters

DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean

DNA WORKSHOP HEADQUARTERS

Dna Workshop

CATEGORY
Office Buildings, Cowork Interiors

LOCATION
Baton Rouge, United States

ARCHITECTS
Dna Workshop

AREA
7953 ft²

YEAR
2020

PHOTOGRAPHS
Jonathan Dean

ARCHITECT OF RECORD
J. Dyke Nelson

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Stein Lasseigne

ELETRICAL ENGINEER
Nesbit & Associates LLC

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
ELS Landscape Architecture Studio

MECHANICAL ENGINEER
ADG Baton Rouge LLC

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Theresa Bartlett

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Bernhard Normand Construction

CITY
Baton Rouge

COUNTRY
United States

DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean
DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean

Text description provided by architect.

The existing building was originally built in 1919 as a climate-controlled warehouse with a railroad spur for loading and unloading of fresh fruits and vegetables.

DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean
DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean
DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean

It was later utilized as a warehouse for dry goods and furniture until it was eventually abandoned.

DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean
DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean

Much of the existing structural members remain in their original state, nonstructural interior walls were removed, and new openings were created in the existing structural walls.

DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean
DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean

This allowed for a new open office environment with half-height partitions added to provide occupants with some privacy without obstructing their visual connection to the outdoors.

The renovation carefully complied with all National Park Service standards for historic buildings.

Windows and glass doors were salvaged from local buildings that were being demolished and used to create visual connections between the existing spaces. Most materials that were removed from the demolition phase were repurposed.

DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean
DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean
DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean

This methodology resulted in minimal materials sent to a landfill and increased the richness of the resulting space by being respectful of the past and mindful of the future.

The building was designed to LEED standards and includes unique elements like reuse of the railroad spur as a landscape feature, use of the roof ballast as base for the parking, and reuse of existing heart pine ceilings as a large exterior door.

A courtyard was created by removing the roof above an existing freezer space, effectively transforming the lowest, darkest space in the building into an open light well.

DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean
DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean

The courtyard functions as a gathering space for the occupants and provides access to natural light and landscape.

The strategic use of new openings and existing historic elements creates a rich biophilic space that promotes mental and physical well-being and creativity.

This project was a major investment in an underserved area and is intended to be a catalyst for future growth and development.

DNA Workshop Headquarters
© Jonathan Dean


DNA Workshop Headquarters
Site Plan
DNA Workshop Headquarters
Plan


DNA Workshop Headquarters
Diagram
DNA Workshop Headquarters
Diagram