OTJ Architects completed the design for the National Trust for Historic Preservation offices located in Washington DC.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) is a privately funded, nonprofit that provides leadership to save and revitalize America’s historic landmarks, neighborhoods, and heritage. NTHP seized on its relocation from an all-office environment in a circa 1920 mansion to implement workplace strategies that would effect a cultural shift towards increased collaboration, flexibility, and departmental cross pollination.

To foster collaboration and to underscore the organization’s commitment to a more collegial atmosphere, our designers proposed to shift the staff in its entirety to an open environment where the exchange of ideas can flow unimpeded by office walls. Executives embraced the chance to lead by example and joined their teams in workstations. In addition, our design provides ample conference, phone, and team rooms with integrated audiovisual capabilities to facilitate training and communication with nationwide partners.

Designers introduced a central staircase to serve as a conduit between the lower-level work bar, café and interactive A/V wall and the reception and formal conference room on the upper floor. Moreover, the program includes a multi-function town hall area spanning two floors that can be rapidly reconfigured using moveable partitions to accommodate events ranging from all hands meetings to smaller educational programs.

In keeping with the organization’s commitment to the preservation of architecturally significant buildings, the space references the work of Watergate’s architect, Luigi Moretti through materials such as travertine marble stair treads, concrete floors, and bronze details. Client feedback credits the design with increased productivity and staff engagement as well as a more fluent exchange of ideas.

Design: OTJ Architects

Photography: Eric Laignel

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