U of U Park Financial Services

Client: University of Utah
Size & Scope: 10,000 sf remodel of the Financial Services office located beneath the plaza between the John Park and Student Services buildings.
Cost: $2,200,000
Completion: 2023

The Financial Services office, located under the plaza between the John Park Building and Student Services Building on the University of Utah campus, is an example of the transformation and modernization of a workplace. It is an exciting shift from the traditional stagnant office space to an open and collaborative environment. A hybrid working model is the future of work spaces: most tasks can be done remotely, computers are becoming smaller, the cloud is becoming more accessible, shared virtual whiteboards, files and virtual collaboration are all available tools to make our productivity flourish. The scope includes approximately 10,000 sf of a variety of spaces, each proposed for different work functions: private offices, shared office spaces, and tiny rooms, Lounge spaces and break rooms. All spaces can be used for meetings or individual working areas. Concepts of the gradation from traditional to hybrid to flexible defined and shaped the space.

This building sits directly under a gorgeous plaza between two buildings. Prior to this remodel, hardly any natural daylight touched the interior spaces. For years, tenants suffered from lack of daylight and connection to the rest of the campus. We kept the existing skylights and brought even more light into the space by carving out a small interior courtyard with planted trees in the center of the project. We also demolished another existing concrete wall in the space and replaced it with a storefront system that faces existing planters and opens the interior to more sunshine. We pushed hard for natural daylight because we know from research that view to nature and natural daylight are essential not only for work productivity but for our well being.

The public interface is at the reception and the entry of the work area. As one moves back into the space it becomes private for employees. Permanent offices are placed against walls, open workstations are dispersed throughout the space. The open area is  a mix of workstations, hoteling stations, large desks, lounge furniture, etc.

In collaboration with: WHW Engineering, Reaveley Engineers, & BNA Consulting
Architects: Studio Long Playing - Libby Haslam, Zahra Hassanipour, Baylee Rushton
Main Contractor: Kier Construction

Photography: Paul Richer