Superheroes of Craft

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Can a construction company be synonymous with wonder and fun? In Barringer’s case, the answer is yes.

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Founded in 2011, Barringer has completed a slew of high-profile projects. They’ve worked with big-name clients like PNC and NASCAR. And they’ve grown by leaps and bounds.

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But these creative masters of construction management had grown too big for their space. What they needed was a new home, one that would allow them to continue to grow, express their personality, and offer a highly engaging experience.

They found such a space in an aging warehouse a few miles southwest of Charlotte’s central business district, in an up-and-coming area next to the city’s light-rail line. Yet the outdated property lacked character. It lacked the inviting collaborative spaces Barringer needed. And it lacked those moments of inspiration that make a workplace come to life.  The design team overcame the building’s challenges by injecting it with unexpected moments of wonder, fun, and a sense of togetherness.

The revamped warehouse is organized around a series of inspired gathering spaces. Those include a cozy den in the reception area and an open kitchen and bar (complete with beer taps) in the center of the warehouse. These spaces speak to the casual, quirky, an unexpected personality of Barringer. They also speak to the importance of community and team spirit, two hallmarks of the company’s approach. And for Barringer, the notion of community extends to people beyond their walls. In fact, the company’s new home is designed as a welcoming drop-in spot for the local community of subcontractors and vendors.

To help animate the gathering areas, the design team incorporated reclaimed and found materials, such as planks from an old barn, which also allude to a commitment to sustainability.

The entire project is shot through with a dose of modernity thanks to a use of clean lines and updated materials, such as polished concrete and full-height glass partitions. The contrast between these the newer materials and the older, found elements offers a sense of drama and adds a compelling dimensionality to the space’s narrative. In total, the creative uses of construction materials and details help underscore Barringer’s commitment to craft, quality, and experience.

Yet the true personality of the space shines through in the use of large-scale superhero graphics that create moments of playfulness and surprise. The iconic costumed crusaders depicted in these images function much like the Barringer team: One minute they’re going about their business as seemingly ordinary people. The next, they’re engaged in spellbinding feats. That’s why you’ll find oversized images of Spider Man, Wonder Woman, and other characters seemingly ripped from the pages of comic books and plastered across doors and walls. The result is a space brimming with bold ideas and energy, much like Barringer.

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Gensler | Tim Buchman Photography

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