Photography by Peter Molick
At the new Kimball showroom in Dallas, TX, products from the furniture manufacturer’s extensive portfolio are on view. Designed by the Dallas studio of Perkins&Will, the building serves as more than a display space. it’s an open, light-filled hub for the local design community, created with flexibility and collaboration in mind.
The 8,000-square-foot showroom, located in the Union building, was ideal for the architects’ vision, and they wanted to ensure that significant elements were kept in place. “It was really a nice architectural space, so from the beginning our intent was to add very lightly to that original palette. We decided right away that the floors would be concrete, and the ceiling and columns would be left exposed,” said Brigitte Preston, principal and interior design director, Perkins&Will Dallas.
Touches in the showroom pay tribute to Kimball’s history, known as makers of exceptional wood furnishings. “We decided to use the wood at the two structural columns because they are a major feature. The niches hold the furniture and double as display cases, a focal point that signifies the importance of wood to Kimball,” Preston noted. “We didn’t place it everywhere though, we just used it as a highlight throughout the space.”
Preston explained that the openness and the seamless flow was quite intentional. “It’s all very transparent and fluid. It’s easy to find your place within, see other people and how they are using the space.” The jumble of desks and task chairs found in a typical showroom is replaced here with themed groupings that look like they are part of the interior, an idea embraced by manufacturers in many sectors today.
“It’s been interesting to see the evolution of showroom space. I think manufacturers have moved away from just mechanically having to display every single product in the line. There are other ways to show furniture, they are no longer limited. Companies can create installations or have virtual presentations, so that old model is not much of a driver anymore. Now, organizations are more focused on emphasizing the brand experience,” Preston noted.
Preston said the designers’ thoughtful space planning, complemented by the furniture and artful staging ensured a variety of settings, rather than the same style in the entire interior. “We worked with the Kimball team on the furniture selections, and then they added accessories, rugs, and lamps. So, it almost feels like these little vignettes. Overall, the showroom has an open, clean look, but once you step into a certain area or zone, it becomes a living room. Kimball’s team did such a great job integrating the finishes and the design language.”
Healthcare furniture is just as important as the offerings for the office, and those pieces share prime floor space with the other collections. It’s another departure from how those products were viewed in the past — as an afterthought. “In the last couple of years, Kimball has been focused on their healthcare division, and building their connections within the industry. And one of the things we talked about early on in the project was making sure that the new space wouldn’t be like the old showroom, where the healthcare furniture was relegated to the back,” Preston said.
The mezzanine, an essential feature, was added to the two-story interior, which was particularly challenging because of structural and fabrication issues. “The mezzanine wasn’t there, but they wanted to maximize the space, so adding it became imperative,” Preston noted. “We went back and forth on the detailing for a long time. We chose very clean white steel elements, and the deck is painted white underneath. It looks very light, and seems to float high above.”
With the extra space available, more functions are easily accommodated. The space is a showcase for products, and it’s a destination for the locals. “The Kimball team was open to having the design community use the showroom as a coworking space. There are a lot of settings where someone can come in and have a conversation with a colleague, sit and do work, or hang out at the coffee bar. That was part of our concept, to have an efficient and effective place for multiple functions,” Preston added.
The versatile place is also a reflection of Kimball’s commitment to sustainability and well-being. A hanging garden is the centerpiece that puts the best of biophilic design at the forefront. “I was thinking about some kind of hanging garden for a while, long before we started work on this project,” Preston said. “There is already this great connection to the outdoors at the Union. There’s a terrace, and a garden below with all of the restaurants. We wanted to bring that inside with lots of planters and greenery. We still wanted something more, and we took it to another level. The hanging garden is the end result of that.”
Preston explained that they are seeking WELL certification, a higher level than originally planned. “Platinum was actually not our initial goal, we thought we could go in at the Gold level. As we talked about where the industry is going, there was a desire to be a little more cutting-edge, a little more holistic. The leadership at Kimball really embraced this idea bridging the gap and stretching toward Platinum, so that’s what we’re targeting now.
No matter the accolades or certifications, it’s a center that captures the essence of Kimball and the community it is a part of. “The showroom is in one of the most important buildings in all of Dallas. A lot of these types of spaces are in office complexes, kind of hidden. This one is front and center, and the attention to detail helped tie it all together,” Preston added.
