STUDIOS Architecture, in collaboration with WXY architecture + urban design, reimagined the Annex at Kearny Point’s Building 78, transforming a historic industrial shed into a creative hub of working spaces. The Annex sits within the 130 Acre Kearny Point site, which previously assembled and disassembled ships during World War II and is seeking new life in the coming years. This Annex project focuses on transforming this storied industrial site into a forward-looking, responsible, and innovative coastal development for a diverse community.
Retaining the iconic historic character is intrinsic to the design intent for the Building 78 Annex. The 90,000 square foot Annex was a multi-story open industrial craneway which the design team transformed into a vibrant coworking ecosystem. Bringing the scale down from industrial use to a personal environment was the task ahead of the team. A new concrete floor was inserted across the overall volume while maintaining an opening down the center of the building to preserve the original crane way flying overhead and allow the consistent natural light from its distinctive sawtooth ceiling to permeate throughout the building.
Bridges and stairs connect the now two floor working space. The rigorous grid dedicated to tenant spaces is easily demisable to support a small scale 300 sf tenant, an anchor tenant, or an entirely new model in the future. The ability to expand in place is central to Hugo Neu’s desire to foster pioneering companies and build a community of innovative tenants that can learn and grow with one another. This ultimate workplace flexibility is anchored by shared amenities including a common pantry on each level, lounge spaces scattered throughout, a gym, and a multipurpose event space.
These signature communal spaces are blanketed in a vibrant orange including a sunken lounge beneath the central stairs hung from the decommissioned craneway.