challenge to accomplish both, but with the help of Kimball Office and its Select dealership Office Furniture Partnership (OFP), the team was able to accomplish the precise look and function that we had envisioned."

The Kimball Office Solution
Furnishings played a key role in shaping the design concept. Working with Fournier and OFP, Rothstein Kass selected Kimball Office's Xsite system because its style and design complemented the architectural intent for the space. The array of material and finish options, combined with the flexibility of its tile layouts, allowed Fournier to create a workplace environment that would make the employees of Rothstein Kass proud.

"Oftentimes furniture is incidental to the architectural intent, or is limited in its ability to enhance its surroundings," says Fournier. "For Rothstein Kass' headquarters, the systems furniture is as integral to the architecture as the architecture itself. Xsite allowed me to design to a level of detail that in my 20 years of experience I have never been able to do before with a furniture system. I was able to make panel connections disappear and create design features within its frame-and-tile structure that complemented the architectural detailing."

"In an open workspace environment that is almost as long as a football field, creating a systems layout that was not monotonous and boring was of the utmost importance," Fournier stresses. "With Xsite, I was able to combine the open area floor plan with detailed workstation elevations to create a visual sequence of space that does not reveal itself from any one location. Juxtaposing private office walls, workstations, and their respective materials and finishes at different junctures throughout the space creates a unified space that is scaled appropriately."

The design flexibility continues into the private offices, which feature Priority and Definition casegoods in Caramel Maple. "I was pleased at how perfectly the casegoods match the style and finishes on the systems furniture and architectural elements," says Fournier. "I also appreciate the careful detail Kimball Office puts into its products. Hinging the approach-side doors on the desk pedestals so that they open makes the routing and hiding of computer cabling much quicker and more convenient."

Rounding out Fournier's design concept are several seating lines from Kimball Office. Delano with its clean lines complements the reception area, while Carrington and Acapella were selected for the conference rooms and executive offices. All three are detailed in the same medium-tone maple that Fournier used in the custom wood paneling, cabinetry, doors, furniture systems and casegoods.

"The unified design scheme embodies the firm's corporate culture and symbolizes a brand experience that Rothstein Kass has nurtured and developed since its inception in 1959. Kimball Office was able to translate the firm's warm and sophisticated personality into furniture better than any other manufacturer."

"We couldn't be more pleased with our new headquarters," says Liebman. "Not only did we achieve the exact look and feel that we envisioned both architecturally and in our furnishings, we received tremendous value throughout the process, thanks in large part to Bob Rigby and his OFP team. Their ability to work in tandem with David Fournier and the Aztec design team to achieve this magnificent end result is a credit to both organizations."

Product specifications: Xsite^® and Cetra^® systems; Definition^® and Prevail^® casegoods; Footprint^® worksurfaces and storage; Acapella^®, Carrington^TM, Delano^TM, Event^TM, Stature^®, and Wish^TM seating; and Array^® tables.

Project team: Steven Kass and David Liebman, Rothstein Kass; David Fournier, Dave Johnson, Susan Baumann, and Jamie Occhipinti, The Aztec Corporation; Bob Rigby, Lori McEwan, Jen Meredith, and Marybeth Harrington, Office Furniture Partnership.