SMRT Portland Office Renovation

After outgrowing our previous office, we were thrilled to secure our new home in the former J.J. Nissen Baking Company building on the Washington Avenue corridor. This opportunity allowed us to maintain our deep-rooted connection to the Portland Peninsula, a place we’ve proudly called home for 140 years.

Our 17,000-square-foot office space celebrates the rich history and character of the 100-year-old industrial building, featuring exposed brick, steel, and a wood ceiling deck. The space fosters our company culture of community and inclusion, alongside our passion for design and mentorship.

Collaboration is central to the office design. The space provides clear sightlines and proximity to teammates, and includes convenient collaboration areas, tech-enabled meeting rooms of varying sizes, and private rooms for individual focus. Workspaces are designed for flexibility, featuring movable furniture and adjustable sit-stand desks. The bright and inviting space includes gallery walls showcasing project work and moveable pin-up panels encouraging idea-sharing, while offering visitors a glimpse into the design process.

As a commitment to the health and well-being of our employees, we have achieved WELL-Silver certification for the space.

Client

SMRT Architects & Engineers

Location

Portland, ME

Square Feet

17,100

Completion Year

2022

Access to natural light and views for all employees at their primary workspace and adjacent social and collaborative spaces was a high priority. Employee well-being is also celebrated with flexible workstations, natural materials, plants, art, a wellness room, and bike storage with lockers and access to showers.

Dovetailing with our sustainability initiatives, we selected an Interface carpet product for our open workspace area in support of their initiative as a manufacturer to be carbon neutral. Carpet products, paints, and new furnishings in the space were selected for their low VOC/low chemical emitting characteristics to be mindful of the impact of material selections on air quality and human health.

The bright and welcoming kitchen space provides a place for community, refreshment, and mindful eating.

The design preserves and embraces the former bakery's history by keeping the industrial feel of the building. The former grain silo, which is now home to our new materials library, is a laboratory for inspiration. Architectural designer Lodrys Gomez said, "It's so bright, so tall, and so open – you want to immediately dig in and get your hands dirty creating."