Locus Architecture partnered with the Northwest Area Foundation to reimagine its workplace in response to evolving work culture, operational needs, and a deep commitment to equity and wellness. As an organization dedicated to supporting Native and BIPOC communities and reshaping inequitable systems, NWAF sought a space that reflected its mission while allowing a significant reduction in its leased footprint.

Through careful programming and strategic design, Locus reduced NWAF’s leased area by 40 percent while enhancing functionality, flexibility, and experience. A layered design approach combined new construction, reuse of existing elements, and selective rebuilding within the existing structure to create an open, energetic environment rooted in stewardship and intention.
The renovation opens with a welcoming entry sequence that draws visitors into a light-filled lobby connected to the building’s fourth-level atrium. Warm wood tones are balanced with vibrant colors in walls, carpeting, and artwork, creating a space that is both professional and expressive of NWAF’s values. Throughout the office, a diverse range of work settings supports multiple modes of collaboration and focus, including private offices, open work areas, informal gathering zones, and acoustically isolated virtual meeting rooms equipped with modern technology.

A central design principle was daylight equity. All individual workspaces were positioned away from the perimeter, transforming window zones into shared spaces that encourage movement, interaction, and moments of pause. Acoustic strategies and thoughtful spatial sequencing ensure comfort and privacy where needed.

Delivered using a CMAR process with Locus involved in contractor selection, the project resulted in a flexible, mission-driven workplace that supports well-being, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability