Blending Comfort and Focus

Photography credit: Douglas Friedman

There’s quite a shift happening in the corporate world as more companies have called their employees back to the office—leaving behind the comforts of home with endless cups of coffee and a quiet space to work alone. In a seemingly prescient way, designer Ike Baker Velten, along with Ken Fulk and his team of designers, created an office for a San Francisco global tech investment firm that blends elements of ultimate homestyle amenities while creating a focused workspace and respecting the building’s historic details. The wild part? They began this thoughtful planning project pre-pandemic.

The team designed an office that maintains a hybrid experience of varied workspaces combined with the luxuries of residential touches like a working fireplace, full kitchen, and coffee and drink bar. Carl Baker, partner at Ike Baker Velten, tailored the space to accommodate all types of work scenarios: independent projects, small or large group collaborations, and private consultations. Like to work alone? Slide into one of the working booths for some focused time. Need some background noise and some collaboration? Work at the large tables and open desks nearby.

Not only is this design strategically crafted to keep workers comfortable, but the 150-year-old-structure-turned-office-space honors the building’s character while featuring modern industrial elements. Baker’s team created a custom wood and glass partition system, featuring glass doors, clerestory windows, and divided lites—glass panes separated by slim, elegant bars—that bring a touch of turn-of-the-century charm. The design team incorporated exposed brick and oak plank floors as a nod to this loft’s original brick structure that weathered earthquakes and fires over the years.

If you have to come back to the office, this space seems to have it all: original character with a modern industrial design that’s ideal for working yet offers the familiar coziness of home.

—Louis Noha