Behind the Design: Merging Historical Reclamation with Modern Innovation

As adaptive reuse continues to take center stage, reimagining historic spaces through a lens of modern convenience and innovation has become an exciting yet complex endeavor, requiring careful consideration to create a space where users can truly thrive. When this confidential banking firm selected a historic building for its new office, our team at NELSON Worldwide was entrusted with designing a workspace that fosters connection, promotes meaningful work and collaboration, and pays homage to the rich history of the Buffalo community.

Holly Williamson

When selecting the site, the client considered its proximity to the local community, parking, entertainment, restaurants, and retail offerings in the area. The design spans three floors and the building’s lower level to house operations and pays homage to the building’s history within Buffalo’s oldest manufacturing district, the Hydraulics Neighborhood.   

Originally constructed in 1893 and once home to the Larkin Soap Company, the space features exposed brick, intricate columns, and wood joist ceilings. While the new design respects the building’s industrial character, it introduces a fresh perspective that echoes the urban energy of Larkin Square. Upon entry, employees and guests are immediately drawn into the building’s rich history through repurposed materials and local context. A whimsical AV display wall, adorned with spoons, recalls a Larkin Company interoffice memo from the early 1900s, which announced the discontinuation of cafeteria spoons due to widespread pilfering. As another nod to the building’s rich history, our design team repurposed a rustic wagon from one of the Larkin Soap Company’s previous incarnations into a coffee table, reflecting the building’s past as a storage facility for the soap manufacturer.

Lyndsey Moorhead

Embracing Buffalo’s thriving mural scene, our team engaged local artist Cassandra Ott to infuse the space with vibrant art. Her murals, depicting idyllic scenes of iconic Buffalo architecture and natural scenery, blend the old with the new. Inspired by the bank’s dedication to envisioning a brighter future, Cassandra’s artwork adds an uplifting touch to the social hub on the building’s first floor.

For modern innovations within the office space, our team designed a highly flexible social hub that encourages collaboration, socialization, and dining in a vibrant and positive environment. The well-equipped café area and adjacent social hub feature agile furniture that can be easily rearranged to accommodate different team sizes, town halls, activities, and workstyles. A gaming area offers a space for relaxation, while a neon sign and dichroic glass film add an extra layer of color and energy.

Lauren Ecker

With neurodiversity in mind, we strategically designed the open office areas with a more muted palette to cue behaviors and signal a quieter setting, creating a stark contrast to the bold and vibrant social hub. The floor plan includes a mix of heads-down, enclosed, and collaborative workstations to support a diverse range of work styles.

To meet the company’s unique program requirements, several conference rooms are outfitted with lounge seating, high-top counters, stools, and display walls, accommodating various postures, privacy needs, and collaborative activities. Special attention was given to introducing greenery, helping to cue behaviors and create a balanced environment.

Maximizing the building’s existing architecture and designed with connection, well-being, and inclusivity in mind, this confidential banking firm celebrates both the historic building and the evolving nature of work. Reflecting their commitment to fostering change through meaningful social connections, our team is proud to have designed a space that stands as a testament to the firm’s investment in its people and the surrounding community as well as celebrates the building’s rich history and cultural memory through thoughtful design.