Design Office, a space of light and creativity

In the heart of Austin, Design Office is more than just a workplace: it is an idea laboratory designed by Clayton Korte. A mid-century building transformed into a fluid and bright environment, where architecture, landscape, and art come together to create a new way of conceiving design

Not just workspaces

Located on North Lamar Boulevard, Design Office embodies the interdisciplinary approach of Clayton Korte, fostering dialogue between architecture and landscape. Shared with Word + Carr Design Group, the studio offers not only workspaces but also a design forum, hosting art exhibitions and professional gatherings. This project showcases how renovation projects can transform existing buildings, enhancing their potential through strategies of openness, visual connection, and contemporary functionality.

Minimal and industrial soul

The building, constructed in 1963, underwent a significant structural intervention to ensure its stability over time. The consolidation required the installation of 65 structural pillars, avoiding the risk of collapses towards the nearby Shoal Creek. The renovation then returned the interiors a minimal and industrial soul, with walls made of felt and homesite, which serve as exhibition surfaces to promote creative exchange. The perimeter windows were doubled in width, allowing natural light to illuminate every corner of the space and offering views of the greenery of Pease Park.

Timeless Essential Language

The project maintains an essential language, where raw materials and custom elements interact with each other. The heart of the intervention is the new central staircase in oak wood post, with a visible steel structure that emphasizes its craftsmanship. The ceilings and floors remain intentionally exposed, respectively with visible white insulation and polished concrete, while the large windows are screened by light curtains that filter the Texan light. The exterior has been renewed with a coating of white lime, a nod to the local tradition, while the new glass and steel facade marks the entrance with a gesture of elegant lightness.

Gallery

PEOPLE

Clayton Korte

2201 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705, United States