This just in: Two design firms to share renovated Cole-Noble building

Axis Architecture + Interiors has called the Cole-Noble District home since 2000, having occupied the former Perfection Bakery building at 618 E. Market St. Now, Axis is teaming with another design studio – Rundell Ernstberger Associates – to purchase the building and conduct a major renovation of the site to be home to both firms.

Since 1996, Rundell Ernstberger Associates has been headquartered in the Lockerbie Academy building at 429 E. Vermont St.

Rundell Ernstberger Associates will join with Axis + Interiors to renovate building at 618 E. Market St. (Image provided by REA)

The renovation, scheduled to begin this month, will create an open collaborative design studio allowing both firms to share resources, meeting spaces, libraries, and a shared social hub containing kitchen and break functions. Exterior improvements include gardens, a secured courtyard with exterior seating, paving and plantings, facade and entrance improvements and new parking.

‘The recent improvements to Market Street by the City of Indianapolis were an important step in the revitalization of the Cole Noble district,” said Kevin Osburn, a partner with Rundell Ernstberger. He added that the two firms are pleased to join others, such as the Nature Conservancy, Sun King Brewery, and Buchanan Group, who have invested in this neighborhood.

Established in 1979, Rundell Ernstberger Associates has a national practice focusing on land planning, urban design and landscape architectural services. The present staff of 18 includes eight registered landscape architects in three offices in Indianapolis, Muncie and Louisville. Since its formation, Rundell Ernstberger Associates has participated as prime consultants to municipalities, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, private institutions, and universities in more than 20 states.

Axis is a national studio for architecture, planning and design founded in 1995 by Drew White and Kevin Cooper. Their philosophy of process, integration and interaction is evident in their work and the way the studio operates. A large open environment shared by 18 people is dedicated to innovation, study and collaboration. Their work includes master planning, design of buildings, interior environments, furniture design and residential design.