Convene – Hamilton Square
- Challenge
- Solution
- Impact
- Recognition
Challenge
Convene is a prominent coworking and event space provider with a focus on hospitality. After working with Convene to design their location at Terrell Place, our next challenge was to design Convene’s second location in Washington, DC at Hamilton Square: a historic building formerly home to Garfinckel’s department store. Our goal was to create a space that fused this location’s rich history as DC’s premiere retailer with the boutique experience for which Convene is renowned.
Solution
The meeting and coworking facility occupies three floors of the historic building and includes a full- service kitchen. Two monumental stairs make the space fully contiguous while two central atriums provide ample daylight. A collection of jeweled, private moments and curated vignettes offer unique options for solitude and reflection.
Drawing inspiration from Garfinckel’s pinnacle years of success, nods to 1950s fashion connect the space with its unique history. Woven textiles with houndstooth and check patterns suggest fine, tailored garments and offer a sophisticated layer of softness and femininity, along with blonde wood, burnt orange, and subtle pops of red, reminiscent of lipstick. Millwork details draw inspiration from retail display cabinets and evoke Garfinckel’s reputation for service, while accent lighting grounds the user experience on a human scale.
Impact
As the former home to Garfinckel’s department store, Convene – Hamilton Square continues the tradition of sophistication and service in this historic building. Moments of grandeur meet elements presented on a human scale for Convene’s hospitality-centric brand of coworking and event services.
Recognition
- AIA NOVA, Award of Merit, Commercial Interiors, Convene at Hamilton Square
- Year 2019
- Size 79,900 SF
- Location Washington, DC
- Discipline Interiors
- Types Coworking, Corporate Commercial