The primary client goals were to create a comfortable working environment for employees and visitors and to maximize daylight and views to exterior spaces. The design team paid particular attention to the views from inside while also providing for screening and privacy from adjacent properties and public transportation corridors.
Saiki Design created a layered garden on the south side of the building that gently screened employee office windows and provided a seasonally-changing view of the garden space from private office windows, conference rooms and public building spaces.
The project challenged the design team to work with much of the existing vegetation, exterior pavements and building footprint. Saiki Design incorporated plant material identified and transplanted from the owner’s private residence to create a landscape design that artfully integrated the preserved and transplanted material to achieve a mature landscape look immediately after installation.
The project received a Merit Award from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Wisconsin Chapter for the exceptional renovation and rejuvenation of the building and site.