Collaboration between architectural firm, acoustical contractor, and a design and pre-construction service has resulted in the transformation of a 1,000-square-foot boardroom to an optimized hybrid meeting environment in only five months from design to completion. 

The F5 Tower is a 44-story skyscraper in downtown Seattle that features angled glass curtain walls. It is home to F5 Inc., a technology company specializing in application delivery networking. Building management recently decided to renovate the tower’s boardroom. 

When it came to the room’s design challenge, Emily Yen, senior associate with NBBJ, Seattle states, “The overarching goal was to create a seamless, refined, and high-tech AV-integrated boardroom experience, all to be delivered in a very efficient timeframe. In addition, there was existing architecture to work with that was not parallel. The building’s exterior enclosure features different angles that became a unique opportunity.” 

NBBJ Interior Designer Tara Schneider states, “We loved the idea of bringing diagonal movement within the room, tying into the design of the building. For that reason, we started with the ceiling.”

Collaboration between the architectural firm, acoustical contractor, and design and pre-construction service resulted in the transformation of a 1,000-square-foot boardroom to an optimized hybrid meeting environment in only five months from design to completion.

Worked with Design Service

To reach this goal, the NBBJ team collaborated early in the design process with ProjectWorks, the complementary design and pre-construction service available from Armstrong World Industries. “This was a fast-paced project from the beginning, so communication was key from the start,” states Simon Belle, ProjectWorks CAD Specialist. “By working together, we felt the original design could be installed after completing a few iterations. In the end, we were able to meet both the client’s goals and timeframe.”

“ProjectWorks helped us understand the difficulty of constructability when varying angles are in play,” Yen says. “They quickly iterated some of the original drawings we sent them that then achieved a kind of inset geometry that completed all the angles with intention.” Multiple versions of the original design were created to achieve the final look.

ProjectWorks then provided a comprehensive Reflected Ceiling Plan package to support the project that included panel, grid, and hub layouts. A full-line bill of materials was also provided to streamline bidding and ordering.

The drawing package was also sent to contractor Peter McClain of Acoustical Design Inc., Kent, Wash. “By working with ProjectWorks, were able to pre-install all of the brackets on the four main runners,” he states. “So, by the time we got to the jobsite, it was a simple click.” 

Seven integrated ceiling solutions were installed in the boardroom. The integrated products working together helped minimize the number of different trades that were in the space during construction, which eased site coordination.

Timeframe Was an Important Aspect

Designer Schneider notes another important aspect of the project was the timeline. “Our team’s charge was to meet F5’s expedited schedule in time for their next board meeting. As such, each aspect of the project had an almost simultaneous timeline and quick turnaround. From design to completion, the project only took five months.”

Ultimately, seven integrated ceiling solutions were installed in the boardroom.  

“The integrated products working together helped minimize the number of different trades that are in the space during construction, which eased site coordination,” Yen states. “And when products are designed to work together, they’re a bit more seamless.” 

Belle notes working with the NBBJ design team was very productive.  “They were receptive to our design suggestions and recommendations that made the ceiling easier to install.”

Would Use Service Again

Yen notes this was the first time she collaborated with ProjectWorks and she would definitely do it again. “It was fun working with ProjectWorks. It was a very fast-paced project and I think it was through this kind of teamwork that we got to where we are.”

Looking back, Schneider states, “It’s always better to talk to the experts. They know their product better than we know their product. And, by collaborating in the early stages of design, we were able to achieve a strong design outcome within the short time frame.”