The Williams Keepers office, prominently located in a two-story office building in Columbia, Missouri, is an approximately 20,000-SF build-out of shell space. PWA worked closely with the client to determine their space needs, which were not readily known. Having outgrown their three-level building, they needed a new space that would be on one level, have a more efficient layout, and allow some areas to be reduced and consolidated. The plan for a more efficient space allowed the firm to grow while minimizing the overall leasable square footage.

A key challenge for the area was bringing natural light into the interior spaces, since the only windows in the deep-shell building were on the perimeter. To allow light to penetrate the interior core of the area, the front facades of the perimeter offices were partially glazed. Also, the main office areas were interrupted by a small meeting space opening up to the interior, creating corridors with windows at their crossings. The existing building’s ceiling heights presented another challenge. The solution was to custom-design the ductwork to run in specific areas, maximizing ceiling height.

The layout of the shell space is rectangular, with the main entry at the center of the longest side opening into a client core space. This space was outfitted with upgraded finishes, while the outer third of the area, designated for the owners and staff, was equipped with a more modest level of finish for everyday work use.  The Boardroom of the Williams-Keepers office is partially glassed to allow light to penetrate into the interior of the office space. The result is a space that reflects a successful and sound image for the business.