ON TR CK

Coworking Office

Roanoke, VA | 7500 sf

5 Weeks | Fall 2021

On Track is a Co-Working Facility in Roanoke, Virginia, built around the city’s rich rail history. The arrival of the railroad in the 1850’s completely transformed the area from rural countryside to a destination for business, transportation, and exploration. For years Roanoke served as a bustling transportation hub and gateway to the American West. Rail lines intertwined through the city created connections to ports and stations far beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the almost 200 years since the railroad was introduced to Roanoke, the city has evolved into much more than a railroad town. The area offers a plethora of outdoor activities, historic attractions, a vibrant arts community, and much more. Although the railway’s function is less active today, it laid the tracks for Roanoke’s ongoing prosperity.

With travel comes extensive opportunities for connection. This coworking space will serve as a hub for a wide range of networks, similar to a railway system. On Track provides a variety of spaces for today’s diverse demographic of employees and the ever-evolving workforce. The space offers an array of workspaces which differ in size, layout, privacy, acoustics, and overall functionality. This allows individuals to station themselves at their own discression. Spacially, all workspaces coverge at the central artery where communal spaces such as the lounge and cafe are located. Tracks in the floor design mimic rail neworks and encourage employees to veer off and utilize the different spaces. These design elements interlock to create an efficient, motivated workplace that keeps employees On Track.

The layout is guided by a central artery which runs through the main collaborative lounge, which is located adjacent to the cafe. All workspaces diverge into different stations, each with their own function. Wayfinding “tracks” integrated into the floor design encourage employees to navigate around the space, collaborate, and socialize.

FLOOR PLAN | NTS

11. Administrative Space

CAFE + LOUNGE

Located in the heart of downtown Roanoke, The Virginia Museum of Transportation is just a tweleve minute walk from the site of On Track. Sixty years ago, the museum’s original structure served as a freight station, and it has seen multiple renovations over the past sixty years. The museum is known for it’s prestigious exhibits and hospitality. The cafe space was designed to emulate a similar experience through use of refined materials such as marble, brass, and cherry wood. Dramatic accent lighting and grand interventions make the space a focal point of the office. During the day the space will serve as a cafe, and at night a swanky lounge for occupants to mingle.

NORTH FACING SECTION | NTS

EAST FACING SECTION | NTS

Passenger Cars

The collaborative lounge features three passenger train cars off the main track. These draw inspiration from the cars on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Their central location allows easy access from anywhere in the space. The ceiling and booths are upholstered with acoustic foam for privacy and noise control. These booths are designed to support a multitude of occasions. During office hours, they are the perfect drop-in spot for informal meetings and quick individual tasks. After hours, the cars transform into a focal point for social interaction and relaxation with co-workers.

Material Selections

Roanoke’s rail history is reflected in the design through the use of raw materials such as exposed brick, wood, and metal. Marble, brass, and uphosltery embellish the otherwise industrial interior to curate a sophisticated and captivating space. Integration of these materials into structural elements such as archways, columns, iron partitions, and the passenger cars draws inspiration from famous Beaux Arts and Art Deco train stations across the United States. Furniture selections were made with adaptabilty and functionality at the forefront. Overall, these elements support universal design and accessibilty for the diverse demographic this office serves.

Furnishings

Benching