Skylab Architecture, a renowned design firm based in Portland, Oregon, recently upgraded their workspace to a modern office that serves as a hub for creativity and collaboration within the art and design community. The new office, located in a unique triangular corner lot in a northwest industrial neighborhood, features two semi-cylindrical steel warehouse buildings originally built in the 1940s.
The 10,000-square-foot structure was transformed into a dark and moody yet inspiring workspace that integrates gardens, an event venue, and a fabrication shop alongside the studio. Skylab extended the existing 40-foot-long skylight to 60 feet to bring more natural light into the space, while a wooden cube enclosed by glass walls offers a private area for workstations and displays models of the firm’s work.
The office’s design aesthetic draws inspiration from Nordic wooden cabins, with textural concrete floors, aluminum windows, and exposed steel roofs balanced by warm wood cabinetry, lush greenery, and cross-laminated timber in the conference rooms. The dark furniture and fixtures complement the overall moody and stylish environment.
Various outdoor spaces, including a covered patio, lounge areas, a cultivation garden, and an outdoor cooking zone, provide opportunities for connection and collaboration among employees and the creative community. Four 10′ x 10′ window walls in the kitchen and dining area can be fully opened for special events, fostering a sense of community togetherness.
Overall, Skylab Architecture’s innovative approach to office design has resulted in a space that not only meets their functional needs but also inspires creativity and collaboration among its employees and the wider Portland creative community.
For more information about Skylab Architecture and their projects, visit their website at skylabarchitecture.com.
