The first New York headquarters for Spark Capital, a Boston-based venture capital firm that specializes in internet and technology companies, was created as an incubator for nurturing dynamic ideas and group collaboration across diverse platforms. It was important to maintain a clean flow of space while offer visual screening for the partner work desks.
We conceived of the space as a rooftop garden environment in which to grow ideas. The central open lounge area, anchored under an existing industrial skylight, serves as a gathering space for group brainstorming; a large motorized projection screen drops from the ceiling so Spark can introduce digital presentations at any point during a meeting. The lounge area is framed by a custom bleacher system that provides ample informal seating for group events. The bleacher steps are moveable-- they can be rearranged for TED-type talks, cocktail parties, and company launch parties.
With Jeffrey Terrariums, we devised a design for hanging plants on the "garden wall" —the planters are a series of clear glass sacks that hold a variety of ferns and mosses. This new architectural landscape provides a planted edge along which the partners sit and move. A modernist nod to the famed terraced gardens of Villa D'Este in Tivoli, this was a powerful contrast to a traditional corporate office design. We wanted to acknowledge the creativity behind Spark Capital and the companies they support.
Team:
Architects: Desai Chia Architecture
Mechanical: Rodkin Cardinale Consulting Engineers
Lighting: Christine Sciulli Light + Design
AV/IT: Spectra Audio Visual Design
Millwork: Desciencelab
Plants: Jeffrey Terrariums
Contractor: Giovannitti Inc.
Code Consultant: William Vitacco Associates
Photographer: Paul Warchol
Materials Used:
Partition System: PK-30 Systems
Appliances: Fridge, GE
Dishwasher, Bosch
Plumbing: Sink, Julien
Faucet, Dornbracht Meta 02
Bathroom faucet, Vola
Toilet, Kohler
Bathroom sink, Hastings Normal 80
Tile: Penny round tile, Nemo Tile
Door Hardware: Lockset, Omnia
Hinges: Rajack
Interior lighting: Pendant task light, Bartco, Vode, Litelab
Recessed downlight, Iris
Monopoint, Edison Price
Pendant, Foscarini Tropico Sphera, Toss B Hoop
Felt wall covering: Buffalo Felt Company
Acoustical ceiling panel: Armstrong
Terrarium planting: Jeffrey Terrariums
Interior furniture: Herman Miller Eames task chairs
Conference Tables, Geiger
Lounge Chairs, Walter Knoll
Carpet, Nanimarquina
Stools, Covey Design Studio
