Client: Live Oak Bank

Overview

Designed for integration into its environment, this 39,000 sf office building captures views from every workspace, preserving as much of the undisturbed site as possible while seeking to provide a superior workplace environment for all employees. Slender office wings are oriented for optimal daylighting and passive solar design. Features include a 50-seat tiered digital conference room, a fitness center, an exterior deck, and an on-site dog park.

Goals

The owner, determined to create a superior workplace environment for employees, wanted the best views, best technology, best overall workplace, and they challenged the architects to achieve this. They wanted to preserve the longleaf pines and live oaks growing on the previously undeveloped site as they designed a building which would “sit lightly on the land.”
Because natural light and views for every employee were critical goals, the office wings are long and slender, with interior glass walls for transparency throughout the building. These workspaces are anchored by an informal employee lounge with a double-height window wall, which offers a view of the central courtyard and the live oak grove beyond. The distinction between inside and outside is further softened by shaded terraces, active walkways and decks through the courtyard, a second-floor balcony, and a cyprus exterior which will gently weather over time and further integrate the building into its site.

Process

Live Oak Bank, a privately-held bank headquartered in Wilmington, NC, is one of the most successful banking institutions in the country. This success, as well as the client’s mission to create the best workplace environment for their employees, led them to the decision to construct a new office building customized to their specific needs. The client found a piece of virgin land in the heart of Wilmington and challenged the architect to create a design which disturbed the site as little as possible. Great lengths were taken to preserve trees and natural features of the site, and to maximize the view connection from the offices and workspaces to the exterior courtyard and grove of live oak trees. The team chose cypress siding as the exterior building material to make the structure blend into the environment.

Additional Information

A 50-seat tiered digital conference room provides a venue for teleconferencing with satellite offices, as well as employee seminars and meetings. A fitness center, exterior deck, and on-site dog park (employees are encouraged to bring their dogs to work) round out the list of employee amenities. Interior glass walls allow for transparency and fabulous views from any point within the building.