A monumental architectural grill is the centerpiece in the renovation of this five-story atrium lobby in a downtown Boston office building. Prior to renovation, brokers had determined that the glass elevators in the lobby of this 1980s office building were making the building difficult to lease. Lobby renovations included new finishes throughout, as well as custom light sconces on balconies, and custom pendant fixtures in hallways.

Rather than hiding the elevators, a soaring vertical grill was designed to engage the elevators as kinetic elements within a larger sculptural form. Suspended stainless steel frames and jewelry-like clips hold custom-colored 3Form acrylic panels (both opaque and translucent). Their open spacing and varying depths create a sculptural cascade of color and form, enhanced with the unexpected elevator movement behind. Floor-embedded fixtures provide spectacular up-lighting for the grill.

After this lobby transformation, there was immediate increase in tenant interest and occupancy. Thanks to the success of the project at One Adams, a variation of the concept was developed for the sister building, Two Adams Place.