Playworks in Oakland, Northern Californian Office Interior, Architecture Images

Playworks in Oakland, California

Aug 5, 2020

Playworks Offices Oakland

Design: Feldman Architecture

Location: Oakland, Northern California, USA

A relationship that began in 2016, Feldman Architecture originally connected with Playworks via the website OnePlus, an online platform connecting nonprofits to relevant design professionals providing pro-bono services.

Playworks, an organization dedicated to providing ‘better recess’ to schools across the country, wanted an office to reflect the fun philosophy of their company and the dynamic ways in which they engage with not only the Oakland community, but also represent their larger organization as the national headquarters.

Feldman Architecture first engaged with the Playworks team by working with their leadership to identify long-term company goals and revamping their original office space. After conducting feasibility studies of spaces nearby, we identified a collection of former warehouses in the same neighborhood that perfectly suited our client’s multifaceted and ever-changing needs.

The Playworks team was interested in creating a new space that would be professional and functional, while still conveying a sense of lighthearted energy to visitors and employees alike. They expressed the need for a functional headquarters that could act as office space for a large and collaborative staff, as well as an event space, gym, and multipurpose training center. Working within a limited budget, our designers worked with many of the existing walls and structures to create an array of workspaces and meeting rooms, as well as creative storage, decorating, and interiors solutions.

The new office space welcomes visitors with an inviting Playworks graphic and an energetic pop of color- a reception desk constructed of repurposed school lockers, doubling as storage and reinforcing the recess theme. The front office space is centered on a collaborative, open lounge with flexible seating, surrounded by a selection of conference rooms and individual “phone booths.” An existing loft was repurposed to provide additional flexible workspaces. Throughout the office space, recess and playtime themed wayfinding graphics add youthful energy, graphically illustrating popular recess games.

Tucked away towards the rear of the office, a kitchen and recreation area act as a community hearth space – a ping pong table, communal break area, and new kitchen furnishings give staff and visitors room to eat and socialize. Attached to the kitchen, an open and inviting “mesh” space with newly installed wooden bleachers serves a variety of purposes- team meetings, company presentations, as well as four square tournaments. The mesh space opens up onto a sunny outdoor patio with a roll-up, glass garage door and new turf surfacing.

A dynamic event space and multipurpose room occupies the back of the building- simplistically designed to be set up as a classroom, a presentation room, or a formal event center. Circular acoustic panels set at varying heights are suspended from the ceiling – visually and acoustically enhancing the space.

Through thoughtful collaboration and dialogue, the renovated Playworks headquarters gives this organization a home, specific and meaningful to its purpose and values.

Playworks Offices in California – Building Information

Design: Feldman Architecture

Project size: 16191 ft2
Completion date: 2020

Contractor: Oak Park Construction
Building Owner/Project Manager: Metrovation
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers
Mechanical Engineer: MHC Engineers Inc.
Lighting Consultant: Associated Lighting Representatives

Photographer: Cesar Rubio

Playworks in Oakland, Northern California images / information received 050820

Location: Oakland, California, USA

Oakland Buildings

Contemporary Architecture in Oakland, Northern California

Oakland Buildings

Skyline House in Oakland Hills
Design: Terry & Terry Architecture

photo courtesy of architects
Skyline House in Oakland Hills

Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland
Design: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

photo : César Rubio
Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland

dosa by DOSA
Design: Feldman Architecture

photo : Kassie Borreson
dosa by DOSA Cafe in Oakland

California Trail at the Oakland Zoo
Design: Noll & Tam Architects

photo : Eric Dugan Photography
California Trail at the Oakland Zoo

2201 Valley in Oakland Office Tower, Uptown District, Oakland
Design: Solomon Cordwell Buenz Architects (SCB)

image Courtesy Solomon Cordwell Buenz
2201 Valley in Oakland Office Tower