A Look Inside W4’s New Austin Office

A team of architects and designers from architecture firm Mark Odom Studio recently designed a new creative work space in Austin, Texas.

“Originally, this was a shell building that did not include a second floor. The design team was tasked with adding a second floor inside the existing volume in order to maximize the use of the existing space. “We were fortunate to have the original structural engineer on our team which was very helpful from the beginning. The original shell building did not have egress stairs or an elevator, which needed to be included in the design in order to provide access to the second floor creative office. The bottom floor already housed the virtual reality company, Sandbox.

Mark Odom Studio was able to make this a unique space – the elevator core is covered in a pine comb siding and a mixture of different glazed and matte tiles were used in key areas – such as the bathroom washroom area and the break room area. Other features include unisex bathroom stalls and washroom area offering a unique feature in this creative office space. The office was designed and built with the well-being of its inhabitants in mind. A common practice Mark Odom Studio applies when designing office structures. The space is naturally lit on all sides with an open floor plan focus and access to the outside. Natural light from floor to ceiling windows and additional sky lights were added. Bringing natural light into the space was one of the most important elements. Views are framed by large windows and the openness to the outdoors allows the users to experience the busy streetscape, fresh air and sunlight.

The creative office space at W4 also fits a niche and demand for boutique office space with its own entrance, elevator bay, and private balconies, ” says Mark Odom Studio

• Location: Austin, Texas
• Date completed: March 2020
• Size: 4,439 square feet
• Design: Mark Odom Studio
• Photos: Andrea Calo