Not Quite Risky Business -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 3/19/2002
Last Visited: 3/19/2002
To fulfill her vision, Fitts hired Alan J. Feltoon, AIA, principal, Alan J. Feltoon & Associates, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Feltoon expanded his client's vision and designed an office space that merges traditional concepts with contemporary ideas to create an environment that is stable but not stuffy, fresh but not too avant garde.
...
Although Feltoon's client always envisioned a "raw, loft space" for her company, Feltoon thought differently about the idea."I asked myself if a raw space could possibly be appropriate for this kind of company," he says."No, I thought.
...
Feltoon chose a rich palette of materials, not unlike traditional investment banking firms, but used them in a modern-day fashion.Thus, wood, granite and marble finishes may reference investment banking houses of the past, but when combined with modern materials such as glass and stainless steel, the result is a contemporary environment.
Some elements of the existing infrastructure were left intact to accent the historic value of the space.Near the front entrance, the top and bottom of a stainless steel clad column are exposed to show the original iron column.The existing 18-inch brick wall that separates the trading floor from the open work area was left as is.However, it is offset by the slick materials that surround it.
...
Originally, the elevator was open to the entire space, but for purposes of security and to set the stage for what was to come, Feltoon enclosed a lobby space.
Looking through the glass door between the lobby and the office, visitors see the space expand in front of them.Once inside, the space further expands as the curving hallway and light soffit encourage movement around the corner.At the end of this hallway is the balcony overlooking the trading floor.
Across the hall and adjacent to the reception desk is the library.The stainless steel shelving is designed to hold books on one side and compact discs on the other.
...
"We wanted to connect spaces visually in order to encourage open lines of communication," says Feltoon."This theme is used throughout the office.For example, a cut-out in the wall above the two chairs in the waiting area shows the wood veneer wall and lighting behind the seats.And from the balcony that overlooks the trading floor, you can see all the way through to the view outside the windows on the far wall."
Across from the library, the main conference room also is visually connected by its enclosing glass walls.However, in order to avoid a sense of "being on display," says Feltoon, part of the glass wall was sandblasted in an abstracted pattern of the floor plan.
Aside from this conference room, many spaces throughout the office are designed for impromptu meetings.The kitchen, in particular, is designed for casual gatherings, as well as lunch.According to Feltoon, the custom-designed pool table is frequently covered with papers.There is also an over-sized white board, measuring six feet by eight feet.Contemporized banquette seating conceals a raceway of telephone lines.These lines connect to tables around the kitchen, which can be grouped together for meetings.An existing skylight above the doorway to the kitchen floods the room with natural light, making it a natural space for taking a break.
The entire lower level of the office, which includes the trading floor and the open office plan, is designed for flexibility.
...
Feltoon worked closely with designers at Knoll to create the special boomerang-shaped tables that can be reconfigured and rewired over a weekend.
Project Team
Alan J. Feltoon & Associates, Inc.21 S. 21st St.Philadelphia, PA 19103(215) 569-3234
...
Alan J. Feltoon, AIA, AICP, president
11 online sources [ view sources ]
Profile is not claimed [ this is me ]
