The Eames Institute is thrilled to unveil the Eames Institute Headquarters Workspace in Richmond, California. The renovated office channels the design genius of Ray and Charles Eames and notably showcases vintage furnishings from the Institute’s namesakes. Inspired by a growing number of staff, the office construction is part of the exciting opening of the Eames Archives, the Eames Institute’s first public space.

The space began as dated, awkwardly-scaled private offices formerly dedicated to the manufacturing of medical devices. Originally designed by architect Jim Jennings in 1997, the Eames Institute’s relationship to the building is entrenched in design history, as the organisation was first made aware of the space by William Stout, of the esteemed San Francisco bookstore, William Stout Architectural Books. Recognising the innate value of Jennings’s design and the building’s history, The Eames Institute’s internal design team set about transforming the interiors to better fit its architectural bones. The project began in 2022 with an aim to create a multidisciplinary workspace for their staff. Key initiatives included designing offices that offer a wide breadth of work points for both individuals and groups, as well as offering both opportunities for heads down focused tasks and more social and collaborative activities.

Related: Herman Miller revisits the playful roots of iconic Eames designs

Their vision came to life over the next year, as they worked with their internal design team to make the space more contemporary while honouring the Institute’s underlying history. The design team expertly executed this balance, with a hybrid of both old and new designs when furnishing the interiors. The office features countless furnishings designed by Ray and Charles Eames, decorative lighting by Isamu Noguchi, wallpaper, textiles, and rugs designed by Alexander Girard for Maharam, and artworks by Nicholas Calcott, Josh Cochran, Adrianna Glaviano, Armin Hoffman, John Massey, Molly Mendoza, Linda Powell, and John Zabawa. Finally, the design team honours the Institute’s heart and soul with furniture by MillerKnoll and vintage Herman Miller.

The transformation of the space successfully saw through the gut-renovation of a medical equipment manufacturing facility to beautiful new office spaces over two floors, a 2,755 sq ft first floor workspace and a 4,793 sq ft second floor. The interior design drew from the wellspring of creativity and design excellence intrinsic to the organisation’s identity and – as everything the Institute oversees – honours the rich legacy of Ray and Charles Eames.

Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity
eamesinstitute.com

Next up: fjcstudio’s dual INDE.Award-winning school