Which I was lucky enough to get to do. And I LOVE Lake | Flato.
Before going to the site, all 60ish of us met at their office, split into two groups, and proceeded to get a tour of the firm itself. Even if I hadn't already liked their projects, I would have been amazed by their office. They are so chill. The atmosphere is so relaxed and conducive to creativity, with the right amount of structure and freedom to push and pull at the designers' creative impulses and boundaries. It isn't stuffy and uptight, nor loose and inefficient. It's the kind of place you WANT to come to.
Why? Well, for one, they have chalkboard painted doors to their conference room. I want to draw in chalk on the door of my conference room at a meeting! I mean, what if an idea hits, and I, God forbid, (along with everyone else at the meeting), run out of trace or lose my Micron?! Well, I'd be totally safe, because I could draw my idea out on the DOOR.
Also, the details are shweeeeet. This office used to be a parking tower, so its got all this crazy heavy concrete beam supports to hold up the roof. How insane is that? I love the idea of taking this huge ugly structure that no one likes because it's, well, a parking garage, and turning it into an incredible space for creativity, a space where architects and designers come together and collaborate to design sustainable, beautiful structures with public interest always in mind.
In addition, apparently, you can write on the walls.
You could always shoot some hoops if you need to take a breather.
Lots of natural light! This is crucial; it just adds so much warmth to the office. It's bright and cheery and welcoming and happy.
It gives me chills, sometimes, how much I love what I do. How many people can pause during the day and realize that they are truly truly passionate about what they're pursuing and learning about? I can't really express it in words; ultimately, I feel like I essentially focus my time and energy to learn as much as I can about as much as I can, and to have a purpose in life and throw my heart and soul into following it. Which is precisely what my heart and soul are doing.
just found your blog. what lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteHi Sara! Thanks so much! I appreciate it :) Have a beautiful dayyy!
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