Following the rapid growth of local start-up Duo Security, Synecdoche paired up with the tech company a second time for their major expansion into the historic 30,000 SF Allmendinger Building in downtown Ann Arbor, MI. Originally an organ and piano factory built between 1890 and 1910, the building’s heavy timber construction and existing brick is re-exposed from previous renovations to highlight the original character.

The building’s cores are outfitted with meeting rooms while workstations and dedicated desk spaces fill in along the perimeter windows. The glass meeting rooms make a statement with custom steel doors fabricated by Synecdoche. Alleys separate the meeting rooms to provide circulation hallways between teams and places for quiet, focused work.

To provide additional acoustic dampening for the open office environment, the walls of the circulation alleys are infilled with recycled insulation. The Synecdoche team took the acoustic systems further by turning them into an aesthetic display, as the insulation is covered with an expanded metal mesh to expose the acoustic system.

Synecdoche showcased their programming skills to optimize and outfit the space with new programs to aid the exponential growth of the company, such as allocated collaboration spaces, lounges, and a library.

The sleek and crisp design elements continue through the space with the fabrication of many Synecdoche Shop objects, such as the reception desk and steel collaboration tables.

Recognitions

MLive: Duo Security moves into Ann Arbor's historic Allmendinger Building

Concentrate: From Allmendinger to Duo Security: Ann Arbor is defined by its brightest businesses