A move to a new space for our San Francisco studio presented the opportunity to design for evolving ways of working and collaborating. The gallery floor, originally a warren of small rooms with low ceilings, was stripped down to its original concrete frame, while a site-specific installation by the renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy was preserved from the previous Haines Gallery. This clay and mud wall, which explores the phenomenology of the natural world as it behaves over time, now serves as an anchoring point in the new studio.

Upon entry, adjoining gallery walls display work while also functioning as a welcoming lobby. What once was a series of small gallery support rooms is now an open, collaborative work area with flexible spaces, including phone booths, teaming tables, and conference rooms organized along the perimeter. Five large skylights provide an ample amount of natural light and reduce the need for supplemental lighting during the day. A new air-handling system ensures clean air, while restored windows, transoms, and supplemental ceiling fans reintroduce natural ventilation and reduce energy loads.

The design approach centered on thoughtfully repurposing materials from our previous office while celebrating the building’s existing structure. The interiors blend modern functionality with timeless design, featuring new and reused furniture from Herman Miller, Muuto, and Hay to create a flexible, inviting studio environment. Plotter room work tops were converted into conference room tables, seating and appliances were reused, and library shelving was built entirely out of old desks. Unused desks from our former studio were harvested and refinished to support the reconfigured open-concept workspace. The resulting design reflects an enduring commitment to the honesty of materials, tactile assembly, sustainability, and creating spaces that foster collaboration.