Photography By: Benjamin Benschneider,

Courtesy of McKinstry & DWS Co

DWS Co had the opportunity to design a co-working space on the top floor of the Catalyst Building, one of the largest cross-laminated timber buildings in the country. It is on target to be one of the largest zero-carbon and zero-energy buildings, certified by the International Living Future Institute. Our goal was to activate the central area of the floor plan and engage with the local community. 

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To contrast the linear nature of the architecture, we wanted to bring in rounded forms, which we did by creating a custom arched metal bookshelf, a curved central bar and flexible draped meeting rooms. 

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We loved collaborating with a variety of talented local vendors from artist Ellen Picken (who crated custom artwork inspired by the Spoake River, the ponderosa pine trees, and four seasons of the Inland Northwest) to Auntie's Bookstore who helped us source all of the books for our library space and arched bookshelves. Not only that, but our client fabricated some of the custom metal features throughout the space themselves!