Clark Creative Group is an Omaha, Neb.-based advertising agency with a clientele that ranges from retail product photoshoots to educational and tourism marketing campaigns. The firm’s existing office and photography studio reside in an 1890s brick building in the Old Market district. The first two floors house the offices. A previously finished third-floor tenant space was an opportunity for growth. Clark Creative Group renovated the third floor after discovering a need for client contact and marketing space.
In the 1970s, the third floor of the building was converted into a law firm, encapsulating the character of the 134-year-old building. The law firm installed a dropped ceiling and furred all existing walls, concealing the characteristics of the building. After the removal of ceiling tiles during an initial site investigation, a unique column and beam system was revealed, becoming the basis for future design decisions. Although in poor condition, the central beam and column line acted as a natural organizational tool and focal point.
The existing conditions required special attention: wooden ceiling rafters and posts were visibly damaged, poorly repaired masonry walls left holes in the original load-bearing walls, and abandoned mechanical systems littered the space. By restoring the main structural elements and removing tertiary framing added later in the building’s life, the unconventional system was celebrated. The interior freestanding mass was intentionally held back from the restored structure, promoting the timber as the defining element in the space. The rafters and electrical conduits running above the primary beam are painted charcoal gray, making the lightly stained primary beam and columns stand out.
With a vacant shell to work with, the space was organized to create a photography backdrop and client entertainment space. The renovated space divides the previous single volume into two distinct areas. The first is a “hosting” area, featuring bar seating and a kitchen. This space serves as a set for promotional material and a functional kitchenette for staff and guests. A central mass containing the kitchenette and two new bathrooms acts as a divider in the larger volume. The second area is a causal lounge with studio space for other photography needs. The outdated and unoccupied third floor of Clark Creative Group became a resource for informal client contact and photography.
All unnecessary framing, including the dropped ceiling, was removed to reveal existing rafters and the primary structural system. To meet energy code, walls were insulated and windows were replaced. Large picture windows were specified allowing for panoramic views of the surrounding Old Market district. All disconnected mechanical and electrical systems were removed from the ceiling structure. The brick walls were tuckpointed and repaired, as was the existing timber structure. The primary beam was repaired, reinforced where necessary, and stained to enhance its natural appearance.
New light fixtures illuminate the space, providing task and ambient lighting. Replacement mechanical systems were installed around the perimeter. Neutral finishes were selected throughout the space, serving as a backdrop for content photography. The upper roof structure’s charcoal-gray color obscures pendant wires, downlights and other accessories. This subtle move helped to further accent the wooden structure…