PROJECT Transburban USA Headquarters

LOCATION  McLean, Virginia, US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  6/1/2016

ARCHITECT SmithGroupJJR

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT  

OWNER/CLIENT  Transurban USA

CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Kalmia Construction

PHOTOGRAPHER  KCPhotography LLC

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Rob Moylan, Dennis Daisey, Carolyn Pike

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

Transurban, an Australian developer of toll road networks, wanted to establish their U.S. Headquarters. Envisioning a space that would offer flexibility, encourage collaboration and reflect their culture, this headquarters would introduce the Transurban brand to the U.S. market. The design team developed a LEED CI Gold solution for the 12,000 sf office space that is being expanded by an additional 5,000 sf due to the success of the initial design.

Transurban USA chose a location that offers direct views to one of the tolls roads they manage. Reminiscent of highway markers viewed at high speed, a slatted wooden ribbon wall draws visitors into the public half of the office. The wall also creates a fluid barrier to provide required security and privacy for the staff. The design has a transparent feel, while still maintaining a physical buffer between public and private activities.

The team introduced collaborative hubs or Interchanges. The Interchanges were designed with a soft but highly regimented palette and organic shapes to invite staff to interact informally. Each Interchange includes a table and writable wall for brainstorming and evolving white board conversations. They purposefully and playfully juxtapose the regularity of the workstations.

The team thought beyond the typical materials that might be found in transportation for inspiration. Natural finishes offer a contrast to hard elements of concrete and asphalt. Materials include warm tones of wood. Soft carpets relate to grassy knolls and felt offers sound absorbency. Woven textiles and rugged plaster bridge the gap of urban and rural landscapes. The refined aesthetic does not reflect the $55/SF budget of the project.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF
 

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS

IMAGE 1  TransurbanUSA_thumbnail.jpg (The interchanges include demountable partition systems with writable surfaces and reconfigurable comfortable seating.) 2016, KCPhotography LLC

IMAGE 2  N/A

IMAGE 3  TransurbanUSA_high res int.jpg (The interchanges include demountable partition systems with writable surfaces and reconfigurable comfortable seating.) 2016, KCPhotography LLC

IMAGE 4  TransurbanUSA_01.jpg (The largest Interchange was designed to be a seamless connection to the future expansion.) 2016, KCPhotography LLC

IMAGE 5  TransurbanUSA_02.jpg (The cafe offers views of the toll road while organic shapes and a neutral palette invite staff to interact and collaborate informally.) 2016, KCPhotography LLC

IMAGE 6  TransurbanUSA_03.jpg (The interchanges break up the open office space and are used for team-based projects.) 2016, KCPhotography LLC

IMAGE 7  TransurbanUSA_04.jpg (Video-call enabled phone rooms are branded with the company’s values.) 2016, KCPhotography LLC

IMAGE 8  TransurbanUSA_05.jpg (In the reception area, the slatted ribbon wall offers views outside and secures the private space from the public access.) 2016, KCPhotography LLC