Office

Cotopaxi is an adventure gear and apparel company based in Salt Lake City. Their motto is “Gear For Good.” They are a certified B Corporation, with 1% of their revenue going towards addressing poverty and community development, awarding 42 grants in six focus countries. They also prioritize the treatment of their workers with dignity and respect. They create multiple products but are most known for their backpacks and jackets. These products stand out with their bold and funky colors and innovative design. They are made of recycled materials and the companies exclusive llama-fleece insulation, and are built to last. Tasked with designing a new office headquarters for Cotopaxi, I had to create a two-level space that reflected their mission, brand, and value. There also had to be a large focal staircase, which I designed as a coin shape that could also be used as seating for a presentation or during breaks. In addition, the office was designed to be universally inclusive and meet ADA standards and building regulations. I used research and case studies to help create a design that achieved a unique solution to our design obstacle of having two employees with hearing and visual impairment.

Concept: Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano in the Ecuadorian region of the Andes. It is an important part of the local culture and is held sacred by nearby Andean indigenous communities. The founder of this company Davis Smith explored Cotopaxi National Park while he lived in Ecuador. He named the company Cotopaxi to represent the spirit of adventure, optimism, and determination that he’d experienced during his time in Ecuador.