1222 22nd Street NW
First a 1930s-era car showroom, later becoming the “White House Garage”, 1222 22nd Street served the U.S. Secret Service for more than half a century. With long-span structure, exposed brick, hydraulic elevators, and generous ceiling heights, this industrial building offered a framework rarely found in DC. When the General Services Administration vacated the space, we saw an opportunity to preserve its character while transforming it into a high-performance, human-centered workplace.
We introduced a new floor, rooftop terrace, and penthouse conference lounge to expand usable space and offer tenants premium shared amenities. New windows increase daylight, and reconfigured building systems allow flexibility across tenant floors. A refreshed façade with black glazed brick and a steel canopy gives the building a bold presence, and custom branding inside celebrates its industrial roots. Today, 1222 22nd Street supports a vibrant mix of tenants—including our own Washington, D.C. studio—who value sustainability, character, and community in the place they come to work.
When we began planning the repositioning of 1222 22nd Street, we quickly saw its potential as the new home for our D.C. studio. We embraced the building’s industrial character and prioritized flexibility, well-being, and sustainability throughout the design. A free-address seating system allows employees to choose between focused work and collaboration, while a three-degree temperature gradient and sit-stand desks encourage comfort and movement. Reuse and waste reduction were central to our approach, reflected in demountable glass partitions, salvaged millwork, and the reuse of 60% of existing furniture.
Occupying the top two floors of 1222 22nd Street, Premise, sought a workplace reflective the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of their work. The upper level includes reception and a reconfigurable conference room, while below are open workstations, private offices, and varied amenity lounges. Thoughtful finishes warm the building’s industrial character, and abundant shared spaces with transparent design foster collaboration and agility. A showcase conference room offers flexibility, with movable glass panels for full enclosure or branded fabric sheers to open it to the floor.
