Edna Goodrich Building


 

CI Overcomes Obstacles To Fulfill Largest Order To Date

In late 2005, Washington State's Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Corrections (DOC) became roommates in the Edna Goodrich Building of downtown Tumwater. Together, the two agencies occupy four floors of this state-of-the-art and environmentally friendly office building. With over 220,000 square feet housing two state agencies and 1,060 government employees, the Edna Goodrich Building represents the largest furniture fulfillment project that Correctional Industries has completed as of 2005.

 

Planning and design for the installation began nearly two years before complete occupancy of the building. These two agencies tasked CI with providing the panels, desks, chairs, tables, cabinets and filing systems for their combined 980 cubicles plus several conference rooms and offices. CI sales teams and Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) personnel worked closely with the agencies to ensure the selected furniture fit their workflow and technology needs. The project required constant communication between CI's staff and the two agencies.

 

Though faced with challenges such as executing installation amidst the work of other contractors and coordinating efforts between two state agencies, Correctional Industries completed manufacturing and installation without delay.


No Delays Despite Installation Juggling Act

Installation in the Edna Goodrich Building proved challenging as electrical contractors continued running wires up until the final days before occupancy. The high-level of computer technology used by the two agencies required extensive cabling of both electric and data lines that bumped heads with Correctional Industries' installation deadline.

 

This situation required that Correctional Industries install the furniture in phases, alternating between floors and agencies in order to work around activities of the electrical contractors. The Department of Transportation was scheduled for occupancy nearly two months ahead of the Department of Corrections, so Correctional Industries crews installed the first-floor furniture and fixtures first, then moved up to the third floor to install some of Corrections' furniture and stay out of the way of contractors running cables on the second floor. "It was a complete phasing of installation in a multi-story building," recalls Shawn Mill, Facilities Manager.

 

The sheer size of the project, with vast quantities of furniture, fixtures and panels, combined with the complicated installation schedule forced Correctional Industries to maintain high levels of communication and cooperation with both agencies and the contractors involved. Though challenging, CI successfully coordinated efforts and installed everything on time.

 

System XXI features, such as noise-control cubicle panels, easily interchangeable work surfaces, and channels for keeping technology cabling neat and out of sight, made this product line ideally suited for the building's occupants.


CI Prives Adaptable To Clients Preferences

Preferring to be directly involved in planning for his department, DOC's Facilities Manager Shawn Mill elected to do most of the furniture selection and layout himself. Mill said he appreciated the openness and flexibility of Correctional Industries' CAD team in assisting him with the planning process. "CI was very responsive to last-minute changes and keeping things on schedule," Mill said.

 

Correctional Industries' design and CAD crews took a more direct role in furniture selection and layout design for the Department of Transportation's needs. CI worked closely with the agency to determine workflow and technology needs and coordinate furniture and cubicle design to meet those needs. The difference in approach to the two departments demonstrates CI's flexibility and adaptability in meeting the work styles of various organizations.

 

CI's High Density Filing is modular and can be added to easily. The sections are on rolling carriages which are set on rails on the floor. One moveable aisle can be created anywhere in the system to access files. As a result, non-productive aisle space is converted into additional floor space for more storage.


Easy Being "Green"

The Edna Goodrich Building was designed to provide a healthy environment for its occupants and to minimize its impact on the environment and energy resources. CI supports these efforts by manufacturing with recycled materials and environmentally-conscious processes. All raw materials used in CI products and in restoration and refurbishing furniture meet or exceed government safety standards at federal, state and local levels. Whenever possible, CI uses recycled wood, metal and fabrics and environmentally friendly finishes. Partners and suppliers offering products through CI also manufacture using recycled materials or materials that can be recycled.

© 2024 Washington State Department of Corrections — Correctional Industries