Innovation Office Space
Arena Grand Theater Renovation Into Innovation Adaptive Reuse/ Columbus, OH
Arena Grand Theater Renovation Into Innovation Columbus, OH

The Arena Grand Theater gets a new life with this renovation to house Nationwide's Innovation space, The CoOperative.

Flexible Pods

The custom designed innovation pods were designed to be flexible to accommodate a variety of work styles. A fun fact, a total of 1,304 bolts were used to make up the pods.

Creative Acoustic Solutions

With the challenge of the high volume spaces left over from the theaters, a total of 685 yards of acoustic paneling products were integrated into the spaces to balance out noise levels for a more appropriate functioning workplace environment.

The Write Stuff

To foster the creative work that takes place in this innovation space it was important to provide integrated places for workers to share ideas. 7,300 square feet of white board space is incorporated into the built environment.

What was once a state of the art theater tucked into the Arena District, is now home to The CoOperative, the innovation center for Nationwide Insurance.  The theater was carefully re-purposed to keep the main circulation and amenity space elements in tact to help support a smart design program for the conversion into this new workplace.  Office ‘neighborhoods’ are positioned off of the town hall gathering space, which was once the hub for the theater  concessions. At the lower mezzanine level, a research lab has been created with a variety of research rooms to provide different vignettes for user experience observations. One of the theaters used for private party rentals was kept intact and functions today as a cinema style conference room where teams can pitch new ideas. The upper mezzanine level is dedicated to learning and training. The high volume of space from the theaters create a unique layering of views into the office neighborhoods where creative ideas are visible at all times. Natural light has been brought in through new window openings and skylights to help illuminate the neighborhoods, which were once spaces for movie viewing.

Innovation Exterior

Abstract trees act as an illuminated landmark to welcome guests into the space.

Innovation Sun Room

What was once the ticket sales booth is now an inviting spot to greet guests as well as support informal meetings.

Innovation Main space

What is now the Town Hall space, provides centralized access to each of the office neighborhoods. Large massing of walls that once separated the theaters now act as a blank canvas for projecting large group presentations.

Innovation _Main level

Open views from mezzanines above and the town hall space provide sightlines into the neighborhoods along with alternate spaces for work and play.

Innovation

What was once a dark exit corridor is now opened up to provide access to both mezzanine levels along with showcasing the unique layering of views within the high volume space.

Innovation Pod

Custom designed team Pods are flexible to provide privacy or an open setting to showcase work. A variety of furniture configurations are available to each team to be able to adjust their work space as desired. Photography Credit: Kate Horgan

Dukyoung
About The Author

Dukyoung Lee - Architect

Since 2016 and as a founding team member of The Columbus Architectural Studio, Duk Young Lee has built a culture of exploration within the firm. The highly awarded and certified architect holds a Master’s degree, AP, BD+C certified, and is LEED awarded. It’s with Duk Young’s ambition that she has built a philosophy of purposeful design, and has fostered a keen ability to find balance between materiality, functionality, and beauty. Her handiwork can be seen all over the city such as the Dublin Park Pavilion and Grandview Crossing Office, which exemplifies her expertise in exterior design and modeling. Even outside the office, Duk Young is always exploring whether it be rock climbing, learning guitar or simply trying new coffee shops around town.

Related Stories

Arena District
Final pieces falling into place for Arena District, 20 years later

It was 20 years ago that Nationwide Arena opened at the corner of Nationwide Boulevard and Front Street as the home of the National Hockey League expansion team the Columbus Blue Jackets. Architect Dan Hanes describes the area pre-arena as “basically parking lots, with a few small buildings here and there.” Hanes’ firm at the time, Heinlein Schrock out of Kansas City, partnered with NBBJ on the arena’s design, and Hanes set up shop in Columbus to help Nationwide Realty with offices, condominiums and apartments. The 200-acre district now stretches to I-670 on the north, the Olentangy River on the west, North High Street on the east and West Spring Street to the south. Parks Edge and the Chipotle building will continue a design tradition that emphasizes brick facades with a striking incorporation of glass.

Innovation Office Space
Nationwide opens Arena District innovation center

Nationwide is pulling back the curtain on its new Arena District innovation center. Read all about it in the Columbus Business First write up.

Innovation Office Space
Arena Grand Theater Renovation Into Innovation

The Arena Grand Theater gets a new life with this renovation to house Nationwide's Innovation space, The CoOperative.