Aharonian & Associates, Inc.

In designing a building for my own company to reside in, being the Architect and Client was the initial challenge and goal, and then “Capturing the Essence of Smithfield” became the design criteria. Nothing can be better for all our client s as having the Architect experience the responsibility for design, schedules and budgeting of their own project. The building is located only 150 yards from a major Rt.7 and Rt. 116 intersection, a major corridor in Smithfield. Our goal was to produce a structure which was created with a green model in mind (as every Architect should be trained) considering access, orientation, lighting, etc. as well as privacy and the ability to spark creativity for the staff as well as our clients. Designed in a classically modern motif, this 16,000 SF wood and stone structure respects the natural setting in which it has been sited. The large expanses of window allow the interior and exterior to be contiguous with nature. Conceptually, the spaces were designed to promote a team atmosphere, which includes giving communication the highest importance. Individual work stations were designed with varying heights for privacy and also to allow cross communication. The wood structure, detailed with Douglas fir and stone siding, was created with intersecting planes and massive walls in a very unique way which sympathetically layers these materials. Copper canopies slice through the stone façade. On the interior, which has very few 90 degree corners, spaces were purposely created for ever changing vistas as you move around and through the space. It is these views that take you from the design studio with its 50 foot long industrial feeling wood trusses and exposed ductwork to the bridge that looks into the main lobby gallery, to the open spiral stair with its capped skylight spilling natural light into the space.