Designed by architect Mike Hall, SHW Group’s floating conference room sits above the lobby of the atrium at its Plano, Texas, office. The conference room’s western side is covered with Austenite 55 stainless steel that captures the light and reflects it, adding interest and distinction to the room.
Visible from the outside, the loft is cantilevered out into the atrium forming the office. It makes a statement when entering the atrium that was designed to interest clients as well as future employees. The floating conference room adds space without relocation or the expense of a major renovation, and is green by utilizing existing space, using the natural light of the atrium and is clad in the Austenite 55 stainless steel that is fingerprint and corrosion resistant, as well as easy to clean.
The design and development of the cube began two years ago with the branding of SHW Group. Employees were asked to put things they valued about the company into a 3- by 3-inch (76- by 76-mm) cube. When it came time to expand,architect Mike Hall suggested the cube as a symbolic element for the organization.
The building’s entrance has a 2 1/2-story volume and the cube added visual interest both inside and outside the atrium. The 22- by 22- foot
(7- by 7-m) cube has glass on three sides and Austenite 55 on the other. The 12-foot (4-m) high cube is located 10 feet (3 m) above the floor. A textile ceiling and carpeting helps absorb the sound. Shades from MechoShade Systems Inc., Long Island City, N.Y., help diffuse the light.
Manufactured by Thyssen Krupp Nirosta, Krefeld, Germany, and distributed by Contrarian Metal Resources, Allison Park, Pa., the Austenite 55 is made up of 80 percent recycled stainless steel. “It almost looks like a mosaic; there is a lot of movement in the material that refects well, which adds to the room,” Hall said.
The SHW Group building is LEED Silver certified.
Contrarian Metal Resources
MechoShade Systems Inc.
Thyssen Krupp Nirosta
