16 Feb Key Tech Renovation
Since June 2012, when our most recent tenant moved out, we have been using the east half of our theater in addition to the west side, which we’ve occupied since 2002. Having the extra space as we continued to grow was great, but there was one problem; our new space felt a little too much like a traditional office space, filled with closed-off rooms and twisting hallways. To help design a space that would best suit us, we created teams to tackle specific areas, such as the kitchen or conference rooms. As it turns out, optimizing dishwasher and oven placement for workflow isn’t so different from a usability study on a medical device. We haven’t run the exact numbers yet, but a significant reduction in mean fork acquisition time is expected.
After using the east half for a few years we had some great ideas, and we worked with our architect to make those a reality. Following many rounds of planning and revision, the renovation work was officially started in the fall of last year.
Once the work is complete, our office will be joined into one cohesive space. The same open floor plan and collaborative environment that have worked so well for us on the west side will be present throughout. Along with more desk space, the renovation will bring additional meeting spaces and dedicated project rooms, plus a new entryway and reception area underneath the theater’s dome.
The first step was a significant demolition effort, which we kicked off during one of our monthly Beer:30s (before any alcohol was imbibed, of course). After it took all of us more than an hour to knock down a four-foot high wall, we decided to get started on the beer and leave the rest of the hard work to the professionals. They were a little more efficient, and the east side was quickly readied for the construction.
The demising wall separating the two sides of the office remained intact until late January, somewhat isolating us from the noise and dust being produced. However, the wall did need to come down for the last few weeks of the renovation, making the construction feel a little more intimate. The increased noise was offset by the first view in 13 years of the theater as a single, unified space. With the wide open spaces and the addition of a mezzanine, the new east side will ensure that we have the room to grow for many years to come.
While the construction noise and debris have been a challenge, we’re all very excited to have our new, larger office space and show it off on your next visit. We think you’ll agree that the addition fits in perfectly.
- Key Tech Renovation - February 16, 2015
- Welcoming a New Generation of 3D Printers - June 6, 2012
- A Discussion on Micro-Design & Manufacturing Costs - October 19, 2009