Behind Closed Doors

By: Maryann Haggerty |  3/31/1997

Burkey Belser and Donna Greenfield wanted the ultimate Washington office perk: a view. So they built one.

They considered moving their 20-person graphic design firm to another city or to the far suburbs for a rural feel. They looked at lovely—and expensive—Georgetown waterfront vistas. But they finally decided they liked the location and price of the office building at 1818 N Street, NW where they had leased space for several years, even though its few windows don't look out on much of anything.

So the centerpiece of their office renovation, completed last year, became a Japanese-style woodland garden, complete with waterfall, that dominates the reception area.

"It really is a joy to come into," said Greenfield, Burkey's wife and business partner.

The library features one of four Greenfield Belser-designed sandblasted interior windows. The main conference room, with a unique table designed by Greenfield/Belser, is a focal point in the space.

Other spaces included in the official tour of Washington's great offices:

The Oval Office

Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior

Federal Realty Investment Trust

USA Today

Creative Center I, America Online Inc.

East Building National Gallery of Art

Calspan SRL Corporation