Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Office at I Rivermark Centre
Baton Rouge, LA
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has relocated to the newly renovated I Rivermark Centre. The 17,700 sf office space is part of the premier mixed-use complex of banking, corporate offices, luxury apartments, and plaza amenities redeveloped by Wampold Companies. BRAF facilitates civic progress by bringing local leaders, citizen groups, and subject matter experts together for Foundation outreach and community collaboration.
Most striking is the central atrium which provides a gathering space to serve BRAF’s civic vision. Hospitality features include the 33’ long custom counter for daily social gatherings or serving table to community events, while the video monitor of current BRAF activities screens the coffee bar beyond. The 30’ tall central hub is surrounded by colorful furnishings and glazed private offices. Preservation of existing features and mixing reused and new furnishings is a theme throughout, and complementing the exposed structural character of the 1960’s era high-rise tower with contemporary furnishings matches BRAF’s efforts building on our community’s assets with a forward-looking vision.
This vision further influenced design through the linking of adjacent collaboration stations, catering kitchen and perimeter offices to the central hub. 30 modular workstations are centered under the 20’+ high curved coffered skylights in a spacious open plan setting that seamlessly connects to the rest of the complex. The Boardroom, framed of glazed walls, provides an open and transparent character with daylit views of the courtyard, south atrium, and central atrium beyond.
Interiors
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The central atrium is defined by curved lounge seating and serves as the hub of the office. This open lounge concept promotes large group collaboration and provides a gathering place for after-hours and community events.
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The central Atrium with views from tower lobby above, invites public awareness of the community institution. The 30-foot countertop supports daily coffee breaks and staff lunches, as well as formal catered events. Contrasting carpet patterns defines distinct zones throughout the space.
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Tall greenery is strategically placed to soften the existing concrete surfaces while emphasizing vertical connections to daylight from the atrium. Smaller breakout areas are positioned just beyond the central space.
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Contemporary, lower-height workstations accentuate the dynamic ceiling. Planters create separation between employees, providing visual and acoustical privacy while introducing a natural contrast to the existing concrete skylight above.
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A smaller breakout area provides an intimate setting for conversations. The bold colors and velvet fabric reflect the client's culture while reinforcing an elevated hospitality aesthetic.
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The boardroom highlights the structural concrete ceiling, exposed utilities, and new lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide views to the courtyard and allow daylight to fill the space from the street level above.
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Floor-to-ceiling glazing spans the width of the boardroom, sharing daylight with the central hub of the office. Multiple wall monitors provide optimal viewing in and out of the boardroom.
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The CEO's office features a variety of seating arrangements to support flexible meetings, alongside artwork by renowned Louisiana artist, Elmore Morgan Jr.
