Primed at the intersection of a high-efficiency workplace and an intimate performance venue, the design of the RIAA headquarters centers on a double-height mezzanine level stage, complete with lighting and audiovisual capabilities to rival many of the city’s most sought-after music halls. The space’s 70-person seating capacity is comprised of rapidly reconfigurable furniture, a plywood bleacher that doubles as a volumetric staircase, and high-top tables located on the third-floor balcony. The C-suite, located directly above the stage, also commands panoramic views of the performance space. The remainder of the program features open workstations, glass-fronted offices, and an array of conference rooms, as well as a dedicated, state-of-the-art recording studio. Like us, RIAA recognizes that the physical space can act as a powerful tool to communicate and amplify an organization’s mission. Accordingly, our design team approached this project from the perspective of a guided visitor experience and identified a sequence of critical locations where bold graphics, industry memorabilia, and oversized prints would both enhance the space and telegraph the RIAA’s prominence in the annals of contemporary music. Lastly, the design’s restrained, monochromatic palette is energized by a rotating lighting display that imbues the space with vibrant, alternating hues.

Lance Jaccard, OTJ Managing Partner, remarked: “We’re thrilled to see two of our designs honored by our industry peers. We were privileged to work with exceptional clients who, like us, were eager to ask hard questions, push boundaries, and ultimately create spaces that inspire by looking to the future of the built environment.” This year’s IIDA MAC awards competition drew an exceptional number of superlative entries with projects ranging from less than 10,000 to over 100,000 square feet.