objekts is not your typical design and furniture procurement firm. They required a workspace that reflected their slightly unconventional work style—one that rejected the standard product “showroom” concept and instead embraced multiple roles: events, hospitality, and an evolving product showroom that creates intriguing experiences through beauty, contrast and surprise. The result is a stylish, hospitality-forward workspace that dissolves the edges between vintage and modern, crafted and natural. It also blurs the boundaries between working, entertaining, creating and socializing. 

Located in a two-story 1940’s brick building in Seattle's Belltown, visitors step off the street into an unexpectedly cozy ground floor foyer resembling a genteel speak-easy with plush lounge seating. A faux clerestory lined with antiqued mirror creates surprising expansiveness in the small space. With dark wood floors and walls adorned with whimsical picture frames in place of traditional paneling, the atmosphere is more akin to a boutique hotel than the entry to a sales room or workspace. 

The journey up the staircase with its fanciful floral carpeting teases at the experiences to come. Arriving on the second-floor guests are greeted by a marble and walnut-topped, horseshoe-shaped bar under a filtered skylight, supplanting the idea of a typical reception desk. The hospitality bar is both meeting and social hub, complete with turntable and beverage service. Opposite, a sculptural library wall punctuated with art-filled niches offers a peek into the working studio.

Anchoring the rear of the bar is a paneled shelving wall that hides meeting space reimagined as a warm, rich hideaway. A secret pass-through window adds to the speakeasy atmosphere. Contrast continues, as wool plaid carpet, pinstripe walls and vintage light fixtures meet a sleek salmon-pink glass conference table. 

Along the front window wall, a platform, dubbed the “Veranda”, hosts entertainment, work, presentations, casual dining and get-togethers. Lit by a constellation-like chandelier, one side features a long and inviting communal table along with an 80” high-tech presentation screen hidden behind gauzy drapery. Cozy wingback chairs complete the furnishings and provide alternate work points at the windows. The luxe gourmet kitchen opposite is fronted by a monumental marble-clad island that’s tailored to catered events. 

When guests need a break, the restrooms provide yet another surprise with their moody palette and cheeky rock n’ roll inspired artwork. The stalls are an assemblage of iron pipe, wood and corrugated steel. The floor, a custom mosaic tile, recalls the building’s vintage era. 

The open studio is eclectic, illustrating how uniformity can be dethroned by an approachable, less rigid design. A transparent block of office and meeting space is defined by sliding glass and steel walls that allow flexibility between public and private. 

objekts has created an office / showroom that is all about the creative process and the sharing of ideas among staff and clients. Surrounded by beautiful textures, colors and objects in contrasting yet harmonious combinations, the studio truly reflects its purpose and identity: blurring the edges between playful work and serious fun, resulting in unique and inspirational spaces.  

Project Team

Shannon Gaffney – Co-design lead, SkB Architects

Kyle Gaffney – Co-design lead, SkB Architects

Erika Biggs – Project Manager, SkB Architects

Kat Harding – Lighting Design Consultant, SkB Architects

Dana Abdallah – Design Assist, SkB Architects

HST – General Contractor

Enviromech – HVAC design / build contractor

About SkB Architects

SkB Architects create meaningful, sensory-rich environments for individuals, corporate clients, retailers, developers and culturally-connected communities. Based in Seattle, Washington and with projects found the world over, the diversity of the firm’s practice allows ideas from different project types to cross-pollinate and influence one another, ultimately leading to more comprehensive and informed design solutions. The firm is driven by the idea that thoughtful, insightful, and creative design has the power to enrich people’s lives. Most recently, SkB was honored to be a 2018 Architizer A+ Awards global finalist for their work evolving the iconic Wild Ginger restaurant brand in Bellevue, Washington.