Following last week’s visit to New York-based Architecture Research Office, we are moving our Meet Your Next Employer series to Richmond, VA this week to explore the work of 3North.

From their studios in both Richmond and San Francisco, the firm has built a portfolio across twenty years along a principle that “great design only happens when multiple disciplines collaborate without walls or silos.” As a result, the studio contains a mixture of architects, landscape architects, interior designers, and graphic designers, working on projects spanning hospitality, cultural, multifamily, corporate, and single-family residential.

Over on Archinect Jobs, the firm is currently hiring for a Technical Director to join their Richmond office. For candidates interested in applying for the position, or anybody interested in learning about the firm’s output, we have rounded up four adaptive reuse projects by 3North that exemplify the studio’s ethos.

American Civil War Museum, Richmond, VA

Located in Richmond’s historic Tredegar Ironworks campus, the American Civil War Museum sees a 30,000-square-foot brick and glass building positioned to provide connectivity between the museum’s existing structures. The scheme’s most striking element is the glass encasement of a ruined wall from the original Iron Works building, forming the defining feature of the main lobby.

Outside, a new plaza off the adjacent Tredegar Street creates an improved entry experience for guests while also raising the ground level of the museum above the James River floodplain. In addition, a new wing of the museum houses two galleries, an experience theater, and storage space for the museum’s collection. According to the team, the interior and exterior architecture “takes on a deferential role to the existing ruins, acting much like a vitrine to highlight the beauty of what is already there.”

McKinnon and Harris, Richmond, VA

To create a new home for McKinnon and Harris’ corporate headquarters, regional showroom, and global fabrication facility, 3North undertook the adaptive reuse of a 1940s warehouse in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood. In addition to meeting a wide range of functional needs, the project sought to reflect the brand’s reputation for designing and crafting high-quality outdoor furniture.

“Marked by simplicity, clean lines, and abundant natural light, the offices and showroom evoke the qualities of a sophisticated garden setting and provide a deferential backdrop to the beauty of the McKinnon and Harris furniture,” the team explains. “The showroom provides a timeless gallery setting which is at once quiet, strong, graceful and self-assured.”

The Martin Agency, Richmond, VA

For the design of The Martin Agency’s office in Richmond, 3North overhauled the existing space that had previously been defined by dark hallways and few open areas for collaboration. By contrast, the new 118,000-square-foot office is equipped with adaptive office spaces, glass-paned brainstorm rooms, large client suites, and more intimate “havens.” At the heart of the space is ‘The Atrium,’ a restored area with meeting areas and a bar, while the lobby has been transformed into a gallery.

Decorative metalwork from the previous space was stripped, and replaced by natural materials, clean lines, and natural light. Inefficient spiral staircases were removed to simplify the circulation routes, while polished concrete floors and exposed ceilings seek to balance a classic and contemporary design. “Throughout, the architecture takes a step back to put the spotlight on local art and craft,” the team adds.

Quirk Hotel, Richmond, VA

Set within a 1916 building originally intended to house luxury dry goods, the Quirk Hotel is described as “Richmond’s first boutique lifestyle hotel.” 3North has preserved the original structure to provide a backdrop to its contemporary use, equipping the structure with 70 guest rooms, four penthouse suites, a restaurant, and a rooftop bar.

In addition to the hotel, 3North designed the adjoining Quirk Gallery as part of the project. Within the space, defining architectural features were left exposed while sleek, minimalist fixtures were added to provide a “striking yet deferential backdrop for the gallery’s eclectic exhibits.”

Meet Your Next Employer is one of a number of ongoing weekly series showcasing the opportunities available on our industry-leading job board. Our Job Highlights series looks at intriguing and topical employment opportunities currently available on Archinect Jobs, while our weekly roundups curate job opportunities by location, career level, and job description.