Built in 1903, Fort Benjamin Harrison Army Base served as an active military base for nearly 100 years. After it was decommissioned in 1995, the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority began the work of preserving and repurposing the land and buildings, breathing new life into the area. The 1908 post exchange (PX) building was the final building to undergo renovations.
Once a general store and commissary for base personnel and their families, the PX Building is in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Fort Benjamin Harrison Historic District. The building provides just over 11,000 square feet of space with 25 foot ceilings, tall windows, and an expansive view of the parade grounds. With this rich history and convenient location, the PX Building is a perfect fit as our new home base – but first, it needed a little work.
Taking our own advice
Lawrence has served as the home base for Curran Architecture for the last eight years. Our love of the area and commitment to the city of Lawrence meant the PX Building was a perfect fit for us. The access to natural light, the ambiance of the Fort, and the beautiful exposed brick of the building add to the experience of our creative work.
Many years of vacancy found the building gutted, the windows boarded up, and the roof in danger of caving in. We teamed up with Meyer Najem to breathe new life into the building and rolled up our sleeves to do what we do best – designing a space that meets the needs of the people using it, with room to grow, an eye on the budget, and thoughtful details that make all the difference. Working as our own client presented a perfect opportunity to put into practice the recommendations we make to clients and create an office showcasing our philosophy.
Seeing the light
Tapping into the fundamental human need for natural light provides health benefits and the feeling of spaciousness in commercial design. The right design, glass, and HVAC considerations provide sustainable access to natural light balanced with interior temperature comfort. Providing natural light access to everyone in the office was a top priority.
The original windows in the PX Building are a beautiful feature that we wanted to take advantage of. While the historical nature of the building prevented us from adding windows or changing the window design, we planned the interior of the building to make the most of the available natural light. By lining the perimeter of the space with low-walled workstations and adding glass-fronted interior offices, we achieved our goal of equitable access to natural light and views.
Beyond the windows, we worked with our neighbors, Context Design, to create an outdoor space to take advantage of the fresh air and surrounding views. Excavating an area to create a recessed patio, we created a cozy, inviting space for casual meetings and meals which connects to our training room and common area. With Wi-Fi extending beyond our building, team members also use the patio as an extension of their workspace.
Challenges
The PX Building has a long history including a time as a non-commissioned officers’ club. The building survived a fire and eventually was completely gutted. Because the roof was nearing collapse, securing and repairing it was a priority – one that came with plenty of structural challenges.
The building’s historical landmark designation meant careful adherence to original designs and materials. The work included preserving the original brick and making repairs in line with the original construction by the U.S. military. Slow, methodical craftsmanship ensured we could manage unexpected challenges – such as stabilizing a column that shifted when a new opening was cut into a concrete wall in the basement.
In our new space we also addressed common office challenges – like reducing communication friction – by organizing the work stations in a manner that people can more easily collaborate. While addressing equitable access to natural light, we also improved communication and visibility for the leadership team through glass walls and doors for internal offices.
Part of the community
Nestled among other historic buildings housing business and residential neighbors, we’re taking full advantage of the award-winning city of Lawrence. Between the area’s walkability and the many community amenities—like the YMCA, The Fort Harrison State Park, and the second-largest branch of the Indianapolis Public Library—we’re surrounded by opportunities to nurture creativity, find new perspectives, and do our best work.
