Airbnb Seattle Regional Office / Bora Architects + Airbnb Environments
Airbnb Seattle Regional Office / Bora Architects + Airbnb Environments
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![© Donald Murphy](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/a7f3/284d/d197/7900/020f/newsletter/2962_007_DonalMurphyPhoto.jpg?1565239268)
Text description provided by the architects. Following successful collaborative projects in Portland and San Francisco, Bora and the Airbnb Environments team came together to design a new regional office in Seattle. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown, the 40,000 square foot space occupies two floors of a 1970s office building. Our challenge was to reflect Airbnb’s unique culture while harmonizing the existing aesthetic with the modern business needs of a global high-tech company.
![© Donald Murphy](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/a75a/284d/d197/7900/020c/newsletter/2962_001D_DonalMurphyPhoto.jpg?1565239119)
![Second floor plan](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/a471/284d/d154/4b00/00a0/newsletter/Bora_Airbnb-Seattle-Plan_02.jpg?1565238371)
![© Donald Murphy](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/aa1f/284d/d197/7900/0217/newsletter/2962_037D_DonalMurphyPhoto.jpg?1565239825)
Embracing the building’s history, we peeled back layers of past renovations to reveal the original interior brick cladding and reinstituted a blackened steel version of the balustrade originally planted around the central atrium. We’ve also removed drop ceilings to improve openness and flexibility and create a more visually connected work environment.
![© Donald Murphy](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/a76d/284d/d154/4b00/00a7/newsletter/2962_002D_DonalMurphyPhoto.jpg?1565239135)
Circulation and group activities are located near the double-height atrium, filled with a custom art installation, further activating this central space and allowing employees to view and engage the surrounding co-working spaces. Towards the perimeter of the office floor, spaces become progressively more private to accommodate the full range of workplace activities.
![© Donald Murphy](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/a998/284d/d197/7900/0214/newsletter/2962_034D_DonalMurphyPhoto.jpg?1565239689)
Our design uses fir plywood and live plants as the main design materials throughout the office, softening harsh edges and bringing a bit of the outdoors inside. To create surprise and wonder, we’ve placed greenery in unexpected places, including rooftops, tabletops, and even inside offices. Additionally, the meeting rooms – each a unique location inspired by actual Airbnb listings in London, Cape Town, Belarus and Nairobi – rely on custom-made elements to create a sense of discovery consistent with the Airbnb brand. Bora and the environments team worked with a host of local artisans to create memorable moments bound together by an understated and natural overarching palette that is deeply rooted in and inspired by Seattle culture.
![© Donald Murphy](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/aa0b/284d/d197/7900/0216/newsletter/2962_036D_DonalMurphyPhoto.jpg?1565239803)
![Division 1](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/a4c3/284d/d197/7900/0206/newsletter/Bora_Airbnb-Seattle-Section_01.jpg?1565238452)
![© Donald Murphy](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5d4b/a9ab/284d/d154/4b00/00b3/newsletter/2962_035D_DonalMurphyPhoto.jpg?1565239709)
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