Design Army HQ

Design Army HQ

Date: 2005 – 2007
Area: 4,695 ft² / 436 m²

Washington, DC

In 2005 Design Army, an accolade-laden Washington DC graphic design firm, looked for a new space to locate its growing business. After a concentrated search, Design Army was able to purchase an abandoned and dilapidated building in the City’s NOMA (North of Massachusetts Avenue) District. Destroyed in the riots of 1968, the NOMA District had laid dormant for over 30 years before being identified as a focus redevelopment zone in the City’s masterplan.

Programmatically, Design Army needed to gut and expand the structure from a two to a three and a half story building. The eight person firm needed two and half floors of studio space as well as a street-front retail space they could lease to supplement the operating costs of the new building. The architects were aware that the new zoning overlay about to be adopted for the neighborhood would make this impossible by restricting the building to three floors. The architects were able to work with the planning commission and zoning board to obtain a variance that allowed a mezzanine roof deck and kitchen area.

Awards | Press
2012 AIA DC, Award of Merit in Interior Architecture
2012 AIA VA, Award of Honor for Design Excellence
2012 Architecture DC
2012 World Interior Design: Inspiring Office Spaces
2011 DreamWork Space: Commercial
2009 Communication Arts

All photos copyright Hoachlander Davis Photography

Design Army Headquarters is a renovation of an existing 2-story brick structure that includes an addition of a third floor and a mezzanine.
The spatial layout includes a reception area, conference room and production space/library on the 2nd floor, and a working studio and offices on the 3rd floor. These two floors are where the design and prototype production happens. In contrast, the mezzanine is a getaway space, where the designers can gather for an informal think-tank meeting, or to relax and commune during the work day.
Design Army Headquarters is a renovation of an existing 2-story brick structure that includes an addition of a third floor and a mezzanine.

In 2008, Design Army took possession of a luminous new space that reinforces their clients’ confidence to hire a graphic design firm capable of designs that resonate with intelligence, relevance and professionalism.

Design Army Washington DC Studio Twenty Seven Architecture
Design Army Washington DC Studio Twenty Seven Architecture Studio27 Architecture S27 Architecture

The design for the nest takes advantage of the coordinate-based cutting to create a flowing form that accentuates spatially important sections of the mezzanine. The nest swells over gathering areas, and densifies to form an ergonomic bench.  This marriage of technology and design affords opportunities to express how formal complexity can reflect and accentuate spatial intensities in the project.

Design Army Washington DC Studio Twenty Seven Architecture
Design Army Washington DC Studio Twenty Seven Architecture

The firm occupies the 2nd, 3rd, and Mezzanine floors.

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