Until July 2004, 200 East Brady, a 40,000-sf, 1920s-era warehouse, had been an abandoned eyesore in Tulsa, Okla.'s Brady district. The building, which was once home to a grocery supplier, then a steel casting company, and finally a casket storage facility, was purchased by Tom Wallace, president and founder of Wallace Engineering, to be his firm's new headquarters. Wallace's firm did the structural engineering, working with Tulsa-based Selser Schaefer Architects to bring the building back to life on a $3.6 million budget.
Though Tom Wallace had grand plans for the 75-year-old building, the west exterior wall was crumbling away, the first floor slab was cracked, and the roof, windows, and entries were in dire need of attention. Luckily, the structural frame was stable, which made it possible to preserve as much of the original warehouse character as possible, including three concrete and brick exterior walls, complete with faded painted signs. The original steel sash windows were repaired and fitted with double-paned, low-e glass. The damaged west wall was removed and replaced with a steel-framed curtain wall façade, providing a new entry for the building and allowing for natural light. The roof was not only repaired and insulated with a protected membrane system, but 20,000 sf was set aside for a possible roof garden. “To not alter the building drastically was a nice touch,” says Reconstruction Awards judge K. Nam Shiu, P.E., S.E., of Walker Restoration Consultants, Elgin, Ill.
The interior of the building maintains the industrial atmosphere that the exterior suggests, while also providing a bright and modern workspace for the firm's employees. To expand on the natural light that the new west wall façade introduced, old interior partitions were replaced with glass ones and all exposed concrete was painted white. The floor plan consists of open studios, principals' offices on two sides, utility/core space, and a storage unit.
This renovation is the first of its kind in the Brady district, and Wallace Engineering hopes that it will inspire others to rebuild the neighborhood.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Mar 6, 2018
C.F. Møller Architects and Arkthing win competition to design Icelandic bank building
Landsbankinn is Iceland’s largest bank.
Glass and Glazing | Mar 5, 2018
New $5 Billion Apple Headquarters Has a Glass Problem
The substantial use of glass on the interior of Apple Park has caused headaches for some employees, literally.
Office Buildings | Mar 2, 2018
Give your HQ some heart: Creating branded workplaces
These days, if your office space isn’t a true reflection of your brand, you’ve missed a big opportunity to connect with your audience.
Office Buildings | Mar 1, 2018
The top seven floors of Macy’s State Street store will be converted to office space
The deal is worth $30 million.
Office Buildings | Feb 23, 2018
Why the 'cultural fit' doesn't fit
Evidence shows that companies that hire on or emphasize cultural fit struggle to innovate and change.
Office Buildings | Feb 20, 2018
New Tommy Bahama HQ looks to ‘Make Life One Long Weekend’ for its employees
Approximately 400 employees will occupy the SkB Architects-designed space.
Office Buildings | Feb 20, 2018
Flex and co-working office spaces create value for users, tenants, and developers, according to a new survey
More landlords see these spaces as “long-term solutions.”
Office Buildings | Feb 19, 2018
Large photovoltaic “wings” help eliminate emissions from this Italian headquarters building
The wings have a surface area of over 1,100 sm.
Office Buildings | Feb 13, 2018
Office market vacancy rate at 10-year low
Cautious development and healthy absorption across major markets contributed to the decline in vacancy, according to a new Transwestern report.
Office Buildings | Feb 8, 2018
Custom home or corporate office? Investment firm wanted both
Designed by Vertical Arts Architecture, the building features design elements found in high-end custom homes in the region.
