Steelhead Engineering Company New Office Space

The Steelhead Engineering Company wanted a space that reflected their collaborative nature, technical capabilities, creativity, and Tribal ownership. The challenge they faced was determining how to include each of those elements within an existing office area.

This fitout revamped the space to better reflect an engineering firm rooted in sustainability. By leveraging in-house capabilities and technology, the Steelhead Engineering office achieved uniqueness within a pre-existing space.

A local millworker used a CNC machine to create a wooden fin, the logo for the firm, which is backlit with LED lights and serves as a focal point in the space. The abstract fin shape is repeated throughout the office, including on a custom wall covering, tying design elements together with a cohesive narrative. The fin reminds employees and visitors alike of the firm’s connection to the Tribe’s Great Lakes water clans and to the firm’s commitment to creating sustainable relationships between the built and natural environments.

To make the original 3,000-square-foot space more open, a collaborative setting was added and some interior walls were removed, creating a layout more conducive to impromptu team conversations and problem-solving. High seating areas were also installed to provide casual “drop-in” workspaces suited for meetings with coworkers, partners, or clients. Some glass walls remained, offering spectacular views of the city below and letting in ample natural light.

Through these carefully considered design measures, The Steelhead Engineering Company enjoyed a tenant fit-out specifically designed for their needs, their brand, and their community ties.