DELV Studio - DELV Design

OVERVIEW

Founded as a four-person design studio with a simple vision for more compelling stories in the world—of people, communities, and the planet thriving—DELV had grown six-fold in a handful of years. To continue to do the best work at the new size, a new tool was needed; a space that would allow for the right mix of focus, collaboration, inspiration, and most definitely, fun!

The Story

DELV’s studio had grown significantly in recent years, both in number of employees and in profile of work. Beyond accommodating for our current and future growth, we needed a space that would enable our highly collaborative and non-hierarchical structure to continue to thrive. The opportunity to design a new studio for ourselves in a post-pandemic reality was both a heady and intriguing challenge. Robust charettes, surveys, and rounds of divergence and convergence resulted in a space that accomplishes our design goals, and acts as a powerful tool for fostering ongoing work outputs. In all layers of planning and detailing the studio, we were able to express our design tenets, believing that good design is: empathetic, honest, beautiful, useful, and resilient.

01

How might we create an environment that fosters impromptu collaboration?

02

How could we provide a variety of options for varying work styles and postures?

03

How could we deformalize the traditional reception experience to feel more invitational to visitors?

Client

DELVers

Market

Workplace

Size

6,800 SF

Scope

Adaptive Reuse + Interior Buildout

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Award

American Institute of Architects, Indiana
Merit Award

Location with Impact

Having been previously housed in a beloved historic factory space, the desire was for the new space to be similar, and we focused our search towards an adaptively reused building within a catalytic neighborhood. The Box Factory within the newly formed North Mass District in downtown Indianapolis fit this vision.

Welcome to Box Factory

This previously derelict structure had recently been rehabilitated into open office space, and it adjoined to a bustling climbing gym and a café.

Committed Commuters

Steps away from cultural amenities and local food options, this location selection also affords many the ability to ride their bicycles, scooters, or walk to the studio.

Drawing individuals into the space as they step off the elevator is a singular, but multipurpose wall that spans across the entire studio. Composed of simple, sustainable materials it serves as a beautiful visual anchor and contains a myriad of functional elements: a coat closet, pin-up space, a tv monitor, hospitality bar, kitchen appliances, and additional storage.

Wellness for All

Beyond location, our commitment to health and wellness extended into the design and materiality of the space.

Daylight, Definitely

Democratic and equitable access to daylight and views was a strong value early on, so each individual workspace was co-located adjacent to the best daylight in the studio.

Air Quality Control

Aiming for excellent air quality, the design uses no Red List items in the construction. An oversized custom steel planter wall adds a critical biophilic anchor along with natural carbon dioxide scrubbing, and electronic monitors keep tabs on air quality.

Purposeful Postures

Focus booths next to the open-environment studio, 100% sit-to-stand workstations, and intentionally varied work location vignettes allow options for differing modes and postures ranging from lounging on a sofa to standing at a high-top table.

A Place to Pause

A tucked-away wellness room provides support for nursing mothers as well as other individuals who may need a moment of personal privacy or a mental reset.

The Kitchen–the gathering space for coffee, refreshments, and highly-contested studio brackets–is anchored by the wood panel wall. A long waterfall island nearly spans the length of the room while a simple kitchen table provides additional seating. Appliances and storage are thoughtfully concealed behind panels, leaving the coffee bar on full display.

32

sit-to-stand desks
3

meeting rooms
48

plants
1

celebration bell

THE DELV IS IN THE DETAILS

From the thoughtful layout of the studio, to the directional naming conventions of the meeting rooms, to the 1576 meticulously-placed ash wood pieces–every detail was considered in the overall design (even down to the classic table games).

01 careful light placement

02 hidden storage

03 subtle branding

04 mixing materials

05 home of the celebration bell

06 pops of color

07 a tasteful twist on a classic game

More adaptive reuse:

see our old digs