When one of the region's most accomplished landscape architects decided to relocate to a new mixed-use building on the edge of a suburban downtown, Neumann/Smith helped them save rent money by designing a mezzanine rather than utilizing contiguous space on the first floor.  Every square inch of space has been planned to be productive. 

 

The first floor houses a large drafting room, offices for the partners, and a kitchen.  The mezzanine includes a library, conference room, office space for the bookkeeper, and expansion room for future staff.  The two floors are connected by open stairs. 

 

Exposed wood floor construction and studs, OSB wall panels, and MDF doors, cabinets and furniture create a casual working environment that expresses the "spirit of landscape."  Slanted wood door frames and window trimming serve as a metaphor for trees.