Upon first entering this 1927 building, the empty space inspired awe. The dramatic character of the concrete, angled walls below the mansard roof was the perfect fit for this tech office. We kept the raw qualities - opting not to finish any of the exterior walls - leaving the darkened and marked concrete visible. Upon honing the concrete floors, we discovered terrazzo remnants we left to highlight the building’s past. Rather than enclosing the core like most offices, we kept the central space open to accentuate the high ceilings and repetitive nature of the columns. To create a dramatic welcome, we designed an intimate entryway off of the elevator with a lowered ceiling and textured wallpaper we then stained black. This created a pronounced transition into the lighter, full-height space while also serving as a location for concealing mechanical equipment overhead. The materiality was an important part of the story. The clients work primarily with Japanese companies and lived in Kyoto for several years. We developed a space with a subtle nod to Japanese forms and materials. The office wall system is built out of Alaskan Yellow Cedar, a material typically found in Japanese architecture. To add to the rich texture of the building, we used hand-woven textiles and rugs, textured stone, hand-glazed ceramic tiles and cast bronze that naturally patinas over time. Additionally, we custom designed the walnut desks and conference tables to maintain the ethos of simplicity.