Abacus Planning Group, a locally owned wealth management firm, spent many months identifying the deal building for its growing needs. Prioritized goals included generous spaces to collaborate with one another and clients, visual reinforcement of the firm’s high tech/high touch brand, and an abundance of natural light. The owners of the building were also seeking an opportunity to recycle an existing structure and incorporate other sustainability strategies.

2500 Devine had the right bones: solid, reassuring brick exterior, mature landscaping and a welcoming front door. The existing interior partitions are removed completely to expose a simple, open structure with a central line of columns aligning with the front and rear entrances. A new clerestory structure is inserted above this column line, creating a light monitor of aluminum and glass along the main spine of the building and introducing much needed daylight deep into the building’s interior. Bay windows along the Queen Street elevation provide additional daylight and enhanced views to the exterior.

The expansiveness of the interior space is preserved, but organized into public and private zones with the use of glass partitions and three quarter-height “thick walls” made of wood. These elements define a welcoming lobby that features direct access to graciously sized meeting space. The more private zones are configured for two groups of eight employees clustered in working/mentoring groups around a central core of workroom, team rooms and a private office for the owner/president. The “thick walls” also help define these spaces, and double as storage space for office supplies, books, and other miscellaneous storage.