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Integrated Design Wins Prestigious Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Lulu Headquarters

Integrated Design Wins Prestigious Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Lulu Headquarters

October 7  2009 [Raleigh, NC] -  Raleigh-based Integrated Design has been awarded a 2009 Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Community Appearance in the Commerical category for its design of Lulu.com’s new global headquarters.  Winners in all eleven award categories will be recognized in a ceremony October 7th at Fletcher Opera Theatre at Progress Energy Center.

Lulu, the marketplace for digital content on the Internet, was looking for a building to house their business operations when Founder and CEO Bob Young saw the historic North Carolina Equipment Company on Hillsborough Street in 2007.  He quickly knew he wanted to restore the Raleigh landmark and looked to Integrated Design to revitalize the 28,000 square foot building.  “I knew the building would be perfect for Lulu – the proximity to NC State and its engineering program, the vitality of the neighborhood and even the tractor on the roof fits perfectly with our goals as a company and our outside-of-the-box culture,” said Young.  “Integrated Design shared our vision and conceived a space where we could create and innovate for Lulu authors everywhere."  

The building was essentially gutted, and open, collaborative workspaces, skylights, art from local galleries, and well-stocked break rooms were added.  Integrated Design modernized and expanded upon the structure while keeping the integrity of the building in tact, including the signature tractor which has beed restored and continues to sit atop the roof.  But what really catches the eye is the new entrance.  What used to be a simple, rusty garage door is now a giant arching wood ceiling supported by massive steel beams.  "Our approach attempts to preserve a sense of history...we breathed new life into something that was already great.  Walking through the building, one feels the vibrancy from the thousands of people who have been in and out of it for close to 100 years" said David Kirk, AIA certified architect from Integrated Design.  Visitors to the building will immediately see the thought and planning that went in to the design, which is reflective of Lulu's brand of style and innovation as well.  

Since 1983, more than 200 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards have been presented to various designers, developers and organizations that have contributed to and augmented the overall character, environment, and appearance of the Raleigh community through unique design engineering.

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