Widely recognized in the world of high-end architecture for its hyper-real visualizations, the international award-winning next-generation creative studio Transparent House (TH) also produces impressive branding/advertising work for many of the world’s top brands and agencies. Recently, the San Francisco-based studio’s principals Denis Krylov and Krista Mollion took on the challenge of redesigning one of the Bay Area’s oldest buildings for TH’s own new corporate headquarters. The results of their development efforts at 472 Jackson Street are now attracting new attention for the seven-year-old firm while also adding some exciting new dimensions to the international business that also operates studios in Moscow and Berlin.
To design the interior of his new corporate headquarters, the self-trained Krylov served as lead architect, and he, Mollion and their TH colleagues also called upon the talents of Argo Construction Inc., StoneSculpt and many other local craftsmen and artisans. "We were very excited when we discovered that the whole building at 472 Jackson Street was available," Krylov began. "It was built by a French wine merchant in 1852, and when we first visited the space, there was this heavy, dark aesthetic. Our intent was to transform it into an airy, clean gallery and creative work space where people could feel at home, collaborate, enjoy work, and produce creative content every day."
“We wanted a large common area, a place where we could meet with clients and have privacy, and our own photo studio,” added Mollion. “With this new space we were hoping to meet several needs.”
Today, TH visitors quickly find that each of those lofty aims has been elegantly fulfilled, and Mollion reports that clients and employees love being in the space. As another measure of its attractive powers, on December 7, TH’s new headquarters was the subject of the final Studio Tour of the year for the prestigious design organization AIGA San Francisco. Meanwhile, its new full-service video and photo studio named Transparent Space (www.transparentspace.com) is also proving to be another key asset, and its 472 Gallery SF (www.472gallery.com) contemporary art gallery is earning its own acclaim.
Transparent House San Francisco set on Flickr
Beginning by gutting the space, stripping the floors down to their original boards and bringing in as much light as possible, the TH team set out to restore the building’s original design elements in the course of meeting their other goals for the space. Along the way, one old storage "cave" became a modern kitchen, and the dated bathroom was completely updated, including the addition of a custom graffiti wall designed by artist Alex Suelto. More aspects of TH’s personality were infused by adding hi-fi sound throughout the building, and designing and constructing a huge digital wall with its own name, thanks to local architect Andrei Hakhovich: Vorticity. Transparent Space was outfitted with projectors, a giant green screen, and professional lighting. Finally, to foster collaboration and flexibility, the main work space was configured with countless high-tech options.
Another practical design touch is a homage to architect Tina Manis Associates and their work for the TED Conferences offices in Manhattan. There, Manis designed a colorful system for distributing data, media, lighting and communications infrastructure in the ceiling. With encouragement from Manis herself, Krylov used a similar approach as a key design element for the TH offices and as a clever way to distribute cables throughout the upper floor.
All told, from start to finish, TH completed the project in less than two months, at a total cost below $100,000 including furnishings.
"Using our visualization skills – the ones our clients rely on us for – helped out enormously with this project," Krylov admits. "In a short time we were able to view our design ideas coming to life in 3D and make quick decisions we knew would stand the test of time."
To learn more about Transparent House, please visit www.transparenthouse.com.
About Transparent House
With offices in San Francisco, Moscow and Berlin, Transparent House (TH) is the next-generation creative studio that excels at the intersection of digital, art, and commerce. Specializing in the creation of stunning 3D assets, branded environments and high-end retail developments, TH employs strategic digital innovation and 3D for high-profile, future-looking brands. With design and 3D in our DNA, TH is equally adept in creative development as well as production, all of which happens around the clock through the company’s interconnected global network. Simply put, our goal is making 3D the spectacular core of your brand’s marketing campaigns. Experience the future of strategic marketing design and production today at www.transparenthouse.com.
