Sol Harris Day Architecture

The Stark County Commissioners IT Department decided it was time to refresh their spaces to better serve the County by improving efficiencies within the department. The new offices are more functional for their staff of technology-reliant laptop users. Their existing offices were outdated, did not support the advancements in technology and daily programming requirements, and the departments were divided across the building creating wasted square footage. After two existing buildings were studied for their potential to meet the current and future needs of the expanding departments, the 1970s former tile company’s building was chosen to be transformed into a modern, industrial office setting. The renovations create new spaces that maximize capacity, integrate technology, and allow collaboration between departments.

Services

  • Master Planning
  • Estimating/Scheduling
  • Visualizations and Graphics
  • Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • FF&E
  • Construction Services 

Since occupying the space, we’ve fallen even more in love with the design. The aesthetics are top-notch and the functionality puts this space above the rest.

Alan Harold, Auditor, Stark County

Building Organization

The Stark County IT Department required both public access and secure spaces. To accomplish this, conference and training spaces were placed on the lower level for easy visitor access, while offices and private meeting rooms were located on the second level behind a locked curtain wall. Within the secure area, walls were deconstructed, opening up the spaces for the 3 departments to co-exist on the same floor and share spaces, increasing opportunities for collaboration.

A large conference room provides the perfect space to hold community meetings for 30+ people. Also located on the lower level is a medium-sized training room with individual computer stations. While their old offices did not provide a lunchroom, the new spaces offer a kitchenette that spills out into an open work lounge, which allows for changes in posture throughout the day.

Interior Concept

The client’s vision for their new space was a contemporary aesthetic with an industrial feel, and to have technology integrated in every space. The interior design concept for the space was inspired by data cables in linear troughs, paying homage to one of the organization’s primary functions. Carpet design is reminiscent of a circuit board, while exposed data cables above provide energetic pops of blue, red, and orange. Circuit lines highlight these colors and lead occupants to three color-themed touchdown meeting rooms, helping to delineate departmental meeting locations.

Conference rooms are loaded with video-conferencing technology, and all collaboration spaces are adorned with ample power stations located in the tables, furniture, and floor boxes throughout. An open work lounge is flushed with natural daylight and provides functional furnishings for either concentration or a comfortable meeting place. Acoustic treatments double as lighting and greenery adds comfort to the open office and café – a preserved moss acoustical element helps cut down sound transmission from the bustling kitchenette, while providing a biophilic touch to the space.

Highlights

  • Transformed the interior of a 1970s former tile company into a modern, industrial office setting.
  • Created a technology-rich environment, focused on the needs of the users, with spaces to both focus and collaborate.
  • Incorporated biophilic elements and maximized access to daylight to improve the comfort and well-being of building occupants.

The space is truly remarkable and the same can be said about working with SoL Harris/Day. Throughout the entire project, SHD was attentive and keyed in on the specific needs for our space. They were able to translate our needs and wants into reality.

Alan Harold, Auditor, Stark County

Meet the Team

  • Domenic Ferrante
  • Abigail Maurer
  • Andrew Lallathin

Awards

  • AIA Akron Design Award - Interiors

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K-12

Alliance City SchoolsAshland County-West Holmes Career CenterCanton City SchoolsCarrollton Exempted Village SchoolsCentral Catholic High SchoolChippewa Local SchoolsCrestwood Local SchoolsCuyahoga Valley Christian AcademyThe Golden Key for Exceptional ChildrenGreen Local Schools (Green, Ohio)Green Local Schools (Smithville, Ohio)Indian Creek Local SchoolsJackson Local SchoolsLake Local SchoolsMarlington Local SchoolsMassillon City SchoolsNordonia Hills City School DistrictNorth Canton City SchoolsNorthwest Local SchoolsOsnaburg Local SchoolsPerry Local SchoolsRG Drage Career Technical CenterRootstown Local SchoolsSandy Valley Local SchoolsSolon City SchoolsSt. Michael SchoolStark County Board of Developmental DisabilitiesStrasburg-Franklin Local SchoolsTallmadge City SchoolsTriway Local SchoolsWayne County Schools

Higher Education

Ashland UniversityBelmont CollegeBethany CollegeBluffton UniversityThe College of WoosterGrove City CollegeIndiana Wesleyan UniversityKent State UniversityKenyon CollegeMalone UniversityMount Vernon Nazarene UniversityNorth Central State CollegeStark State CollegeThe Ohio State UniversityUniversity of AkronUniversity of Mount UnionWalsh UniversityWashington State Community College

Workplace

3D Business AcceleratorAdvanced Storage SystemsAirtex ProductsAkron-Canton AirportAkron Community FoundationASC IndustriesArtsinStarkBekaertBridgestone AmericasCampbell Oil CompanyCarroll County TransitCutler RealtorsDiebold NixdorfDix CommunicationsEnvironmental Design GroupFedex Custom CriticalFirst MeritGE CapitalGreat Lakes ConstructionIn The RoundKiko Auctioneers and RealtorsLean DogLG FuelNational Inventors Hall of FameNickles BakeryPegasus FarmPenske TruckPro Car Automotive GroupProgressive InsuranceS.D. Myers IndustriesSecuritas Electronic SecurityStark Community FoundationSummit County Department of Job & Family ServicesSterling JewelersStruktol Company of AmericaTaylor BankThe Timken CompanyStark County CommissionersTomTod Ideas Inc.United Glass and Panel SystemsUnited Way of Greater Stark CountyThe Vasco GroupYoung Truck

Recreation

Alliance Country ClubAlliance Family YMCAAshland County ParksBoy Scouts of AmericaBrookside Country ClubBucyrus Area YMCACambridge YMCACampCarl.lifeCongress Lake Country ClubEric Snow YMCA (Downtown Canton)Ernie's Bicycle ShopFirestone Country ClubGeauga Park DistrictGirl Scouts of North East OhioGlenmoor Country ClubLakota YMCALouisville YMCAMassillon Boys & Girls ClubMinerva YMCAMount Vernon YMCAMurfreesboro Tennis ComplexMuskingum Watershed Conservancy DistrictNorth Canton YMCAParamount Tennis ClubPaul & Carol David YMCA (Jackson)Pegasus FarmShady Hallow Country ClubSilver Lake Country ClubStark ParksStark County Wilderness CenterTiffin Community YMCATuscarawus County YMCAWestbrook Country ClubYMCA of Central Stark County

Other

A.H. Wilson BuildingAlmost Heaven Homemade Ice CreamAmerican Development CompanyAmerimar Enterprises, Inc.Aultman FoundationAultman HospitalBair's PowersportsBAM Healthy CuisineBenders TavernBoggs ChiropracticBolivar Volunteer Fire DepartmentBrewster Fire DepartmentCanton Baptist TempleCanton Palace TheatreCanton TownshipCanton Township FireCapstone Real Estate InvestmentsCarroll County District LibraryChapel Hill Retirement CommunityThe Chapel in AkronChrist Community Chapel in HudsonCity of CantonCity of WoosterCoshocton Port AuthorityDeVille DevelopmentsDeHoff DevelopmentDowntown FordFirst Friends ChurchGastroenterology SpecialistsGoddard SchoolsGrace United Methodist ChurchGreentown United Methodist ChurchHampton InnHeartland Behavior HealthHoly Trinity Greek Orthodox ChurchHoover HouseJackson TownshipLake TownshipThe Lenzy Family InstituteLeopard Town TwirlersLiberty Development CompanyLions Lincoln TheatreLimbauch BuildingsLouisville Public LibraryMassillon Fire DepartmentMassillon Heritage FoundationMassillon MuseumMassillon Public LibraryMeniru Medical OfficesMinerva Champer of CommerceMissionView ChurchNational First Ladies LibraryPerry Township Police DepartmentPetitti Garden CenterThe Pickwick PlaceThe Pines Lakeside TherapyPlain TownshipPlain Township Fire DepartmentPro Football Hall of FameProgressive ChryslerQuonset HutRose Lane Nursing & RehabilitationSARTAScriptShop PharmacySeville-Guilford Township Fire and EMSShady Lawn Nursing & RehabilitationSmithville Fire DepartmentSpring Hill Historic HomeStark County Department of Job & Family ServicesStark County District LibrarySt. Edward HotelSt. Lukes Lutheran HomeSt. Mary's Catholic ChurchSt. Michael the Archangel ParishSt. Michael Lutheran ChurchSt. Stephens Lutheran Martyr ChurchTraditions at Bath Road Nursing HomeTrillium Family SolutionsUnion HospitalWooly Pig Farm BreweryWooster Community Hospital

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