OTJ Architects Project CST Group, CPAs, PC Awarded ABC Excellence in Construction Award

Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 07, 2014

CST Group, CPAs, PC won the ABC Excellence in Construction Award for Best Interior in the $35 to $50 per square foot category at the recent awards ceremony, which was designed by the architecture and interior design professionals at OTJ Architects and built by general contractor L.F. Jennings.

This 16,740 SF office relocation cost $40 per square foot and received the award based on the degree of complexity and high-end finishes, along with the successful collaboration amongst the broker, design team and general contractor.

Between the Jones Lang LaSalle and OTJ teams, it was one of the smoothest jobs I have ever been on and by far the most collaborative and fun team Ive been a part of, said L.F. Jennings Project Manager of Corporate Interiors Andrew Kowalski.

It was very important to CST Group, CPAs, PC that the office portray sophistication and professionalism so the reception area was considered a high-impact focus. Marble flooring was used and there is an intricate wood wall feature that looms over the waiting area seating to provide visual appeal for clients that regularly visit the office.

Namita was not afraid to make decisions; she was decisive and clear with the design intent, Kowalski said. The materials specified fell in line with the budget and time constraints CST faced.

CST Group, CPAs, PC also wanted to exhibit its own brand, mission and culture and account for future company growth, which involved moving management-level staff into workstations instead of closed offices. To facilitate this change, the design included larger workstations with glass at the top to not block natural light and provide a greater sense of privacy with the illusion of added height.

In some ways, each partner and individual group had its own unique work style, said OTJ Project Manager/Senior Project Designer, Namita Shah, IIDA. Being able to find solutions that addressed the varying needs into one cohesive response was challenging and fun.

Also important was the idea of collaboration, so the employee lounge was designed to be an open area that became a destination for the staff to meet, discuss and relax. The training room is connected to the lounge and can be separated by a divisible wall during monthly training sessions to allow multiple sessions to be held concurrently.

This project for CST Group, CPAs, PC helped to solidify the organization in its own space and give it a new identity and sense of pride. The time spent to create an open floor plan that worked for the staff ensured the change from closed offices to workstations would be a smooth transition. The detailed reception area, training center and conference room also enable the financial services firm to host events and meetings and invite clients to share in its new personalized office.

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OTJ Architects Project CST Group, CPAs, PC Awarded ABC Excellence in Construction Award