Z Block—
Austin, TX / OfficeOur fourth project in the Domain, Z Block is an adaptive reuse of an unused space into a creative office within Austin’s bustling mixed-use shopping plaza, Domain NORTHSIDE. The 9,468 SqFt found-space was developed by Northwood Retail, a privately-held, global real estate investment and management firm.
Due to the space’s unusual shape and lack of street frontage, a retail tenant was unlikely. Instead, we reimagined the unique space into a light filled, sprawling creative office to appeal to Austin’s growing tech sector. Currently the space is occupied by INK Games™, an innovative gaming company that relocated its headquarters to Austin in 2022.
Published—
2023 / archiScene
2023 / Office Snapshots
2023 / Archello
2023 / LoopNet
2023 / OfficeLovin'
2023 / Work Design Magazine
/ 01
“We designed the floor plan to create a variety of different meeting spaces, work zones, and even gaming zones to appeal to creative tech companies. The idea was to encourage team collaboration both casually and formally throughout the work day.”
— Erin Nies
Principal, Mark Odom Studio
— Erin Nies
Principal, Mark Odom Studio
/ 02
The design team outfitted the original dry concrete shell by dropping in creative pods and collaboration zones to divide and organize the space. The plan was to pack a myriad of options depending on work style or need, creating private, semi-private and communal work areas.
The unique location created an opportunity for a large, private, outdoor courtyard as well as easy access to the district’s bountiful amenities without the distraction of street frontage.
The unique location created an opportunity for a large, private, outdoor courtyard as well as easy access to the district’s bountiful amenities without the distraction of street frontage.
/ 03
INK Games™ put their own stamp on the space commissioning famed Texas muralist Tarbox to create an energetic focal point on the courtyard and inside walls, along with other unique art installations like a Nerf armory and living plant wall.
“Most studios can’t get their employees to come in and we can’t get ours to go home!”
— Josh Gause
Co-Founder and President, INK Games
“Most studios can’t get their employees to come in and we can’t get ours to go home!”
— Josh Gause
Co-Founder and President, INK Games
