IEW Construction Group - Office Building Addition

23,000 sq ft | Hamilton Township

In 1983, BAI founder Mark Berkowsky designed a new spec building in Hamilton, New Jersey. Planned for a developer at the time, the building is a multi-tenant space totaling 40,000 square feet with white stucco exterior, strip windows that wrap the first floor, and punched windows on the second.

When new property owner IEW Construction Group (IEW) saw Mark’s name on the drawings, and had a pre-approved expansion in hand, they contacted BAI to design a 23,000 square foot office addition. IEW is a family-owned and operated business with strong ties to their roots in constructing steel bridges. The design objective was to honor their history with an industrial look throughout while still introducing a modern open office plan with great use of glass.

Owing to the original design, the façade is a white metal panel finish divided by windows expanding the width of the building. The landscaping, with lighted, multi-tinted brick stairs, planters, and accessible ramp leads to the double-height, steel-column canopy framing the glass vestibule to the new building addition. Matching sunscreens over the windows draw toward the entry as a focal point.

In the foyer, a greeting staircase features walnut wooden steps, black steel stringers, and stainless-steel railing. The paired reception lounge is outfitted with leather armchairs and wooden sculpture, leading to the elevator. This first floor is intended as a place of reprieve. Both the fitness center and break room bring the outside in through windows enveloped in trees. Locker rooms, IT room, and shell space for future use complete the program.

The second floor is wrapped in perimeter offices and conferencing enclosed with glass partitions. Recycled brick columns and walls are seen throughout. The ceiling is layered with painted structure above, floating acoustic panels, and dropped bi-directional lighting. A walkway displays artwork to face the open office, opposite a corridor with brick half wall and live-edge wood tabletop for flex work.

Touch-down spaces offer additional bar top seating and huddle lounge style seating for informal meetings. The conference room features a long, live-edge wood table, brick accent wall, a window wall, and wall-to-wall sliding glass doors.

IEW proudly met a long-awaited goal with this new office, an achievement emblematic of both company growth and a gift to their hardworking employees. Now also a piece of BAI’s history, this exemplary project spans decades of great design.