December 14, 2021

Downtown office tower gets human-centered re-design

Renderings by Olson Kundig [enlarge]

The re-design is intended to maximize exposure and access to the outdoors.

[enlarge]

The design vision is to blur the lines between private and public spaces for a unified experience.

Developer EQ Office is partnered with architect Olson Kundig on the redevelopment and re-design of its 800 Fifth office tower in Downtown Seattle. 800 Fifth was completed in 1981. At 166-meters high and 42 floors it is emblematic of the imposing skyscrapers that came to dominate the skylines of the 1980s. In many ways the re-design could be called a scaling down. The vision is to create a more human-centered environment that prioritizes occupant wellness.

Kirsten Ring Murray, FAIA, design principal at Olson Kundig, said in a press release, “previously, you were meant to be a little in awe, a bit intimidated, when you walked into a high-rise building. With this repositioning effort, we're humanizing 800 Fifth, building on the sense of the space as a hive of activity, a place with its own distinct vibe. Instead of a place that's overpowering, it becomes somewhere you feel welcome to stay, to have a meal, to gather and collaborate.”

A guiding principle of the re-design is to create home-like experiences in the office environment. According to the press release, “Olson Kundig plans to create an intimacy similar to the best living rooms, having access to natural light, integrated artwork and bespoke detailing, while suspended lantern lighting and customized bookcases echo interior elements of the home.”

The lobby and entry will be revised. There will also be ample fitness, wellness and social amenities including a new fitness center. Another focus is the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Throughout the property there will be flexible spaces for social gathering that will smoothly transition from the interior to the outdoor courtyard, where a series of “rooms” for community and small group uses are anchored. A public outdoor plaza and garden interspersed with multifunctional community spaces for large or intimate gatherings will create new areas for connection. Biophilic elements, which are known to increase both physical and mental health, will also be paramount, with additions of white oak adding a sense of warmth and tactility to the space.

EQ Office purchased the property in 2019 and is hopeful that the re-imagining of 800 Fifth will help draw workers back to the office and city. The re-design is expected to be completed in mid-2022.