Eames Institute Transforms '90s Richmond Building Into Industrial Headquarters

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity, a non-profit aiming to preserve the design prowess of groundbreaking creatives Ray and Charles Eames, has transformed an industrial building in Richmond, California, into its official headquarters and 40,000-object archive. Channeling the designers’ genius codes, the space builds on the organization’s previously opened Eames Archive, the Institute’s first public space with a treasure trove for design buffs.

“The space began as darted, awkwardly-spaced private offices formerly dedicated to the manufacturing of medical devices,” The Eames Institute wrote in a statement. “Originally designed by architect Jim Jennings in 1997, the Eames Institute’s relationship to the building is entrenched in design history, as the organization was first made aware of the space by William Stout, of the esteemed San Francisco bookstore, William Stout Architecture Books.”

The renovation began in 2022, when the organization outlined a plan to build an office that could facilitate both “heads down focused tasks” and “social and collaborative activities.” Over the next year, Eames’ internal design team executed that balance, implementing both old and contemporary design pieces to fill the dynamic space across two floors.

Notable design features include furnishings by Ray and Charles Eames, lighting by Isamu Noguchi, wallpaper and rugs by Alexander Girard for Maharam and an entourage of artworks from the likes of Nicholas Calcott, Josh Cochran, Adrianna Glaviano and several others.

Explore The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity’s new Richmond headquarters in the gallery above.