With newfound access to natural daylight, the design team continued to transform the interiors into a modern workspace. To read more about this portion of the renovation, please visit the story titled "The Historic Dispatch Building Renovation".
Partnering with the new tenants of the building, The Chamber of Commerce, The Studio brought the historical building into the 21st century. The renovations to the former Columbus Dispatch building started on the exterior with new windows and the formation of communal and private areas. For a more in-depth look at this portion of the renovation please look at The Ohio Chamber of Commerce project recommended at the bottom of this page.
Access to natural daylight continued to pull inspiration through the rest of the 16,500 square feet. To carry the design language to the other floors, the use of all glass fronts were installed at the conference rooms. Thinking through programming and location of windows, the kitchenettes and hoteling styled work spaces were placed along the exterior. Private and head downs offices moved to the center. All glass fronts were brought to those spaces as well to bring in as much light as possible. This color palette invokes a more refined and polished aesthetic while giving gentle nods to its past. The carpet displays a polished color with a sophisticated pattern, and glass orb light fixtures have a simple elevated presences. An exposed ceiling gives an industrial feel but painted white helps refine its character. Intentional design choices and finish selections holds onto the historical charm of the building while bringing in modern work styles and needs.
Natural lights pours in through the original arch windows. The all glass fronts enable light to further penetrate the office building.
A communal zone supports casual meetings and heads-down work at the banquette.
The kitchenette has modern appliances, with the fridge blending into the cabinetry. Darker paint and tile gives an air of sophistication while the herringbone pattern gives it a bit of playfulness.
Creating a lower profile for the cubicles allows light to move freely through the space.
Installing the glass paneling in the lobby opens up the space. Natural light is able to further move into the core of the building.
The Columbus Dispatch Building sign is still displayed as a memento of the past.
The renovation of The Merchant, a 5,800-square-foot coworking office space located in Olde Towne East, is a prime example of how historic character can meet modern needs.
The 94-year-old Dispatch Building is arguably one of the most iconic structures in Downtown Columbus. Our team helped to transform the former daily newspaper headquarters — and recent addition to the Historic Register of Places — into a modern work space without losing its historic integrity.
The adaptive reuse project centered around pulling in natural light and modernizing the workspace. Serving as a landmark for the city, the former Columbus Dispatch Building was placed on the Historic Register of Places.
About The Author
Dan Hanes - Architect
Danial Hanes established The Columbus Architectural Studio based on the principle of “doing work that is worth doing”. This concept has guided him through his 30 years of experience and has been a cornerstone of the firm since its inception in 2016. Having worked on a variety of projects, ranging from multi-family residences to professional sports stadiums and even a chicken coop, his focus has remained the same: the client, transparency, and good design. With the aim of inspiring and improving his community, he emphasizes building relationships rather than egos. Danial’s commitment to Columbus and his profession has led him to advocate for inclusion, community, and engagement among professionals, students, and those interested in the field. He has served as the past Chair of The Center for Architecture and Design, and is currently a board member of the Columbus chapter of The American Institute of Architects. His firm is also a proud sponsor of NOMA's Columbus Chapter. Despite the demands of his packed calendar, he consistently finds opportunities to guide and inspire the next wave of architects.