BP Lower 48 is a leading producer of natural gas across the Western United States. The company has a rich history in the region, and has a significant footprint in the state of Oklahoma back to the early 1960s. At the beginning of 2015, a renewed interest in the region began, and BP opened a regional office in Oklahoma City which served as a hub for its Midcontinent Production Operations.

BP wanted their offices to reflect the changing demographics of the company. They wanted to attract today’s professional workforce with a non-corporate atmosphere that was unlike anything they had worked in before – not stuffy and slick. The goal was to create a showpiece that is modern, efficient and comfortable to be in, and a place that respects the patina and history of the building, which was a historic tax credit project.

A plan was launched to balance the inherent conflict of the small office environment and privacy. Several flex spaces allow for large and small meetings as well as impromptu conversations. The new offices are located within the first and second floors of the historic building. Prominent features include an operable overhead door and a large concrete automotive ramp. The historic auto ramp was repurposed to become a main processional stair with break-out meeting platforms. Glass walls, rough-sawn wood and raw steel come together to create a modern yet intimate workplace.