CREJ - Building Dialogue - March 2017
Costa Mesa, California-based QSC is a designer and manufacturer of professional, state-of-the-art audiovisual systems for clients large and small worldwide. With facilities in the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, QSC is an industry leader in planning and design, procurement, build-to-order manufacturing, and distribution of its parts and finished goods. With over 400 employees, the company’s culture is one of casual and relaxed professionalism in all departments, worldwide. Indeed, QSC’s headquarters was named “Best Place to Work” by the Orange County Register six times consecutively. It was this culture that the company wished to bring to its Boulder office. The design challenge was to adhere to the company’s corporate standards without sacrificing the unique vibe of a Boulder address. The new space is comprised of a compact reception area, full conference room, small perimeter executive offices, full-height workstations, testing labs, multipurpose breakout rooms and a fully stocked kitchen/ break area. Simple, natural materials like stained and routed plywood panels, raw metal and natural stone lend balance to the brand’s use of advanced technology and precision equipment throughout the 10,000-square-foot suite. The palette is decidedly laid back with background grays, golds, blues and browns punctuated with bright colors on furniture and carpet tiles. QSC’s progressive leadership required a right-sized space that could accommodate heads-down tasks, prototype testing and production in an office that could easily promote recruitment and retention. The overall theme is one of quiet work and low-key relaxation. It’s a millennial-occupied office, and the design of the space, colors, materials and furniture promote a Boulder cool, come-as-you-are attitude without extraneous distractions that the company’s engineers prefer. QSC’s New Office Projects Cool Boulder Vibe: Kieding PROJECT TEAM GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Magnolia Building Co. ENGINEER: Boulder Engineering FURNITURE DEALER: Merchant’s Office Furniture CONSULTANT: K2 Audio PHOTOS: Ron Johnson Photography 1. Full-size conference room with sectional table supports meetings of any size. Warm, neutral grays and greens offer a relaxed atmosphere. Glass wall invites abundant natural light into the space. 2. Compact, quiet reception space showcases contemporary furniture, rugs and accent pendant light. Ceiling elements include drywall “cloud” in rich gold with section of open ceiling beyond. 3. The kitchen/break area is at the heart of the space. The center island offers casual seating and food prep space for working lunches and snacks. Pendant lighting, backsplash tiling, cabinets and paint continue the primarily neutral color scheme. Partial-height walls allow for clean site lines from one side of the suite to the other. Polished cement floors provide versatile, easy-clean surface. 4. Dedicated seating area with movable tables and chairs for casual collaboration, breaks and snacks. Routed plywood panels offer simple but unique wall covering. Natural light floods the break and kitchen areas adding a bright outdoor component to the front section of the suite. 5. Full-height workstations offer a quiet, heads-down environment for working engineers. “Cloud” with suspended grids and slices of open ceiling add architectural appeal and overall openness to the working portion of the suite.