ISPC

1115, Gunn Highway, Odessa, FL, United States

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ISPC

1115, Gunn Highway, Odessa, FL, United States

Firm

ROJO Architecture

Type

Commercial › Office

YEAR

2008

SIZE

25,000 sqft - 100,000 sqft

BUDGET

$5M - 10M

Buildings are expressions of feeling, purpose and culture. Whether it’s a Starbucks, warehouse or a museum, the scale of construction is too big to ignore. Where better to capture corporate image and embrace capitalism than with architecture? Odessa, Florida’s newest structure is a working machine. Unabridged with fuel, gears and drive-shaft, the building purrs like a corporate hotrod. On a rural-industrial boulevard, the construction proudly parallels rush hour traffic as the morning fog lifts from nearby wetlands. Slowly, the copper façade reflects the conquering sun, proclaiming its presence and greeting groggy passers-by. The Independent Saving Plan Company, ISPC, decided to create something special in 2006, when they consulted with rojo Architecture on a new building. What started out as a simple office building quickly transformed into a new way of thinking about work and a new way of seeing business for ISPC.The design of ISPC reveals the key to successful business—team. The building imposes a strong front face, anchored boldly by the mass of the copper clad corner entry. This forward-looking company wanted a confident “front door” to the public. They got just that with the modern lines of a continuous band of windows, broken only by random panes tinted to challenge the mind and suspend contemporary thoughts on modernist design. To contrast, the rear of the building welcomes employees. Nestled in trees, the asymmetrical rear embraces parking, preserving green-space and proving a much-appreciated gathering space for the ISPC team. Once inside, tight ceilings expand into a grand circular atrium, which all occupants must pass through to gain access to the varied wings of the building. A center mobile hung from the 30’ ceiling flows freely, reflecting the sun’s rays, providing a different interior design concept each day. A halo of light surrounds the ceiling, allowing it to float higher than it appears. The highly public space is surprisingly intimate, utilizing soft light and elegant woods to offset elongated tile and crisp metals. A small arrangement of furniture marks the corner of the circle, presenting an awkwardly appropriate boundary to the space.Each arm of the building is accessed through the control point of the grand atrium. Both a meeting space and a connector, the atrium is the heart of the building. Executive row is approached by walking up the monumental stairs along the circumference of the atrium, proceeding around the rest of the circle on an open-railed walkway looking down into the grand space. Once the circular route is complete, double doors lead to a main reception space for the executive offices. The procession is both humbling and anticipatory, with varying visual experiences building up to the executive wing entrance. Rich materials, bold colors and corporate technology flood the space with success. Private offices flow along the north wall, buffered and divided by admin support and break-out spaces, encouraging team participation.ISPC works different now. The design of the building is a result of the work. Major business systems translate into building/body systems—circulatory (the atrium and corridors), nervous (executive), immune (legal), reproductive (marketing) and respiratory (finance). As examples, the collections department sits on the second floor within the trees at the rear of the property. The stressful program is offset with a harmonious view of trees and skyline, never interrupted by an opaque wall. The law library is rich in north light at the corner of the building, flanking greenspace. Quiet solitude most suredly results in successful resolutions. Marketing and design sits along the highway, hidden behind a serpentine wall, sparking energy and bringing brilliance to business development. Above all, the president anchors the building, pivoting over the main entry, able to view, and be viewed, by all.One may think that ISPC’s building is inappropriate for its location, but the design solution was a direct result of site, program and team. The company faces business boldly like the building faces the street while the rear embraces the site like ISPC does its employees. For all of those CEO’s who are looking for the golden ticket to success, look first at how your office space can build productivity, moral and success like ISPC.