Axle Logistics

Axle Logistics purchased the Hull Dobbs Building, originally constructed in 1920, to transform it into their new corporate headquarters in Knoxville and enlisted DIA to help make the transformation.  The program for the new headquarters called for a mixture of large open offices, breakout meeting spaces, conference rooms, and private manager offices; all of which are centered around a programmed “bar” of collaboration spaces and circulation that divides the open floor area into two distinct zones.

Amenities for the offices include a large break room, an outdoor deck with a small putting green, a fitness center and basketball court with locker rooms, a game and relaxation room, a corporate “swag” room, and a small convenience store for onsite snack purchases.  The ground level houses the majority of the amenity and public spaces for the company while the second floor houses most of their open office workspace. The center of the building features a large sculptural grand stair that serves as the primary circulation for the building to help foster a sense of increased social interaction among both employees and current/future clients.

A unique amenity for any office design, the fitness room and basketball court came with a number of special spatial and functional constraints and requirements that added to the complexity of the design. At the rear of the building an existing ramp was deemed structurally unsound and required removal as part of the building renovation. In place of this ramp a large shared outdoor deck was added with direct side access from both the communal dining area and the game and relaxation rooms.  Existing garage openings were utilized for new storefronts and windows to give the adjacent spaces plenty of natural light while also giving ample access to the outdoor spaces from multiple locations within the offices

DIA provided architectural and interior design services to develop this building into a vibrant member of the Happy Holler community.  The client’s goal was for this new office space to be bright, light and airy.  To achieve this the brick was painted white and their logo colors were incorporated throughout the space in small, meaningful ways to reinforce their brand for employees and customers.