Workplaces

Buffalo Design worked with King County to relocate their Regional Automated Fingerprint Identification System Lab to a renovated 18,000 sf space. The lab provides space to securely and safely manage, examine and process evidence and allows for anticipated future growth. Designed for durability and low maintenance, the new facility includes training classrooms and administrative spaces.

The new AFIS Lab reception lobby presents a sophisticated first impression to law enforcement officers, visiting attorneys and allied professionals.

The reception lobby provides a secure environment for logging in evidence delivered by law enforcement personnel from various jurisdictions. Durable countertops are designed to withstand heavy, sharp objects. All surfaces are easy to clean while supporting the client’s request for a non-institutional environment.

In the secure latent print processing lab, materials from multiple cases are examined, tested and processed on large work surfaces that ensure chain of evidence security. Color corrected lighting supports analysis and minimizes eye fatigue. Lab workstations can be easily reconfigured to meet future needs.

The King County Regional AFIS Program provides training and continuing education classes to officers from 37 different jurisdictions. The space can be configured to accommodate large groups, and regional or national conferences.

Staff and visitors enjoy breaks with access to natural light and high efficiency, full spectrum lighting that brightens the spaces while reducing eye fatigue.

The UW Chemistry Department's renovated classroom and teaching laboratory create new, flexible space within an existing 1930s building. The auditorium and lab incorporate innovative lighting and technology to create fresh learning environments.

A 24,000-square foot renovation within the Alaska Airlines Flight Training Center for the Inflight Training Program constructed under a GCCM contract on a fast-tracked schedule to support Alaska’s merger with Virgin America. The Training Center includes 6 new classrooms, a mock-up training space, informal collaboration areas and instructor offices. Classroom design is focused on student comfort and includes multiscreen technology, refreshments and a variety of options allowing trainees to sit, stand, perch or move during long training sessions.

Buffalo Design provided design services for new and renovated classroom, faculty and meeting spaces for a growing academic department at the University of Washington. The 6,300 sf expansion in Bloedal Hall accommodates faculty offices and classroom/meeting space, and an additional 10,000 sf of space in Mary Gates was also reconfigured to support student/faculty activity. Our design solutions reflected iSchool core values of openness, collegiality and collaboration.
(iSchool photography ©Francis Zera / zeraphoto.com)

Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) is a not-for-profit, member-owned organization of over 28,000 real estate professionals. The phased renovation of their 17,500-square foot 1980s era administrative facility creates a flexible, collaborative work environment for staff and major upgrades to amenities for realtor members. Members now enjoy a coffee bar and cozy fireplace lounge, a place to meet with clients and make calls as listings flash on a large screen. A new training room combines comfort, flexibility and improved technology. Dominating the lobby is the retail store, a steel framed “house” stocked with essential supplies. Store fixturing is movable so that the lobby serves double duty as a reception space. The outdated image of the former facility has been erased with warm colors, comfortable accommodations, textures and retail lighting, creating a renewed pride in membership.

The overarching goal of this 7,000-square foot interior renovation of Bayley Construction's Mercer Island administrative offices was to better reflect the culture and brand of the company. The team designed new conference rooms equipped with live video conferencing, open work spaces to allow for more employee collaboration, and a state of the art training room to accommodate all Bayley employees. In addition, Buffalo Design was instrumental in designing exterior upgrades to incorporate Bayley’s updated branding and the approval of a new mechanical system that fit within budget.

This transformed administrative suite originally designed by Architect Carl Gould links a modern, team-focused environment with its historic context. Because most of the original 1920s architectural fabric remained intact the design team chose to refurbish as much of the wood paneling and plasterwork as possible, in a lighter, brighter palette. The administrative team now shares dramatic views of the surrounding tree canopy, access to light and air, and a sense that their space extends beyond the building’s walls.

Our design concept for THA’s renovated offices emphasizes a feeling of home, imagery of neighborhood and colors of an international community. The renovation of this 20,000 sf administrative center eliminates wasted steps for clients and staff, establishes a welcoming presence, provides client privacy and enhanced security as an inherent part of the design.

Our renovation of this 1970s-era building creates a new home for this progressive landscape architecture firm. Emphasis is placed on sustainable design: renewable materials, efficient lighting, natural ventilation, bamboo floors, sustainable wood and seed board cabinets, and reuse of existing doors, windows and trim.