01. Raw Growth - CoWorking

Junior Year | Eight Weeks | 7,500 SF | Roanoke, VA

This co-working space is one that blurs the line between the indoor and outdoor environment, focusing on the incorporation of biophilic design lacking in the surrounding area to improve wellness in the work environment. All biophilic design located throughout the space was carefully researched and selected to be low care in regards to low necessity of water and able to survive on low direct light All plant life are top air purifers of an otherwise low air-circulated environment while also providing relief to those staring at screens multiple hours during the day.

The tech company that has offices as part of this co-working space is Lanza-Tech: a company that focuses on transforming pollution into safe and recyclable products for a post-carbon world.

Site Plan

Greenery Buildings

Drawn in the first week of the project, this site plan shows the lacking greenery in the industrial city of Roanoke and where my concept of Raw Growth began, to solve the problem of the lacking outdoor scenery by bringing it within.

In the beginning stages of this project with the driving concept of biophilic design throughout the space to improve a healthy work experience, I wanted to research specific plants of all shapes and sizes that are proven to help improve worker productivity. All the plants above were chosen and put into my model because they each benefit health through ridding the air of toxins.

Stained Original Wood

Rubber Acoustic Flooring

Painted Original Brick

Recycled Wood Slats

Forest Green Paint Color

Kitchen/Community Space Perspective - In this perspective, it displays the center of the big coworking space. This public gathering space encourages communication and interaction in a social setting.

Meeting Rooms Perspective - This perspective shows semi-public spaces, areas that can be used for meetings and well as private work. The middle glass wall can be opened and both spaces can create one big community space.

Tech-Startup - LanzaTech, the startup tech company focused on converting pollution into raw recyclable material through atomic engineering/modification. The tech company is located on the left side of the second floor and is seperate from the big co-working space.

Tech-Startup Offices (2-person) - The four tech offices located on the second floor, house two employees each for Lanza Tech. Each office provides multiple units of storage and avid desk space for each person, fostering a positive work environment for both public/private work.

This co-working building focuses on keeping each entity seperate, but the biophilic design elements shown throughout are the link between all seperate spaces.

The first level of this co-working space houses the lobby and entreway area, as well as the main entity of entrepreneurship offices, along with their own meeting room and a private bathroom.