Next World Offices

The Private, Colorful Workplace

A former printing factory becomes a sophisticated, collaborative hub for a European financial services company seeking a quiet yet open workplace.

(Next) World Headquarters

Within the historic Jackson Square district in downtown San Francisco, Jensen Architects crafted a vibrant, 9,000-square-foot workplace for Next World Group inside a former printing factory. A collaborative relationship with the client led to efficient work and meeting spaces, as well as secluded corners and playful open areas. A mezzanine level addition captures downtown views and adds structural integrity.

Quiet Time

Acoustic privacy is essential in the client’s industry. To mitigate cross conversations in an otherwise open work setting, JENSEN addressed sound separation in numerous ways. Laminated glass office enclosures act as sound barriers while felt wall coverings and stretched fabric ceilings provide absorption. The result is something that appears acoustically live (gypsum board, steel, glass) but is in fact expressly private.

Opening Space

The client purchased the building, a veritable rabbit warren of offices, with the hopes of creating a modern space within the older shell. A sizable, sunken pit in the middle of the main floor became a hang-out zone fitted out with steel flooring and reclaimed wood. Opening the floor plan capitalizes on the natural light afforded by the original skylights. At night, color-changing LEDs tucked into the skylights add a glowing accent.

Location Scouting

The office is walking distance from its big-league peers in the city’s Financial District. This business-community connection is now emphasized by views of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid, including one carefully framed by a skylight in the mezzanine-level meeting room. The immediate neighborhood’s sensitivities also were considered, working with the Historic District Planner to maintain the existing fabric of the neighborhood while modernizing the building.

Type: Workplace

Client: Next World Group

Location: San Francisco

Press

Workplaces Today, Juriaan Van Meel,  Icop, August 2015

Architectural Record, “Next World  Capital,” February 2014

Architects

Project Leads: Mark Jensen; Frank Merritt; Nick Sowers

Project Team: Kimberly Cinco; Paul Jones; Ryan Golenberg; Kyle Belcher; Erin Osberg

Consultants

Structural: Fulcrum Structural Engineers

Mechanical: Glumac Consulting Engineers

Civil: Sandis

Surveyor: Martin M. Ron Associates

Lighting: Johanna Grawunder

Historical: Christopher VerPlanck

Geotechnical: Geotecnia

Landscape: Growsgreen Landscape Design

Contractor

Johnstone McAuliffe Construction

Photographer

Mariko Reed

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