the concept behind tabula rasa evolved naturally and organically. we were looking for a meeting location that would offer our clients the opportunity to think outside of a traditional conference room environment. we needed a place that would allow creativity to flow and ideas to soar.
our search ended the minute we walked into the barracks row location. with a charming interior courtyard, floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors in each room, the space had abundant natural light, great flow and clean lines. its potential was clearly unlimited. being there felt remarkably different than being any other place in DC – almost as if you’ve been transported to a secret piazza in the middle of the Mediterranean.
we knew we would make good use of this very unique space. once we moved in, our ideas quickly began to evolve. we wanted a space that would serve all of our clients’ needs from the meeting and conference space standpoint, but there was such greater potential. we toyed with a wine bar, a coffee shop, or perhaps something more fluid. finally it came to us – what about an event venue? we would create an empty canvas – a “tabula rasa” or blank slate, where everything was modular, mobile and manageable. the space could host a strategic planning session during the day and a book signing and cocktail reception that evening. we could host events that not only spoke to us, but served our community as well.
after months of renovations, furniture and lighting design meetings, the space is functioning even better than we’d hoped. tabula rasa truly is a blank slate, readily changing its colors for its current purpose. we’ve had a champagne tasting, thirtieth birthday bash, a holistic cooking class, and several boutique pop-up including a candy shop and well-know clothing retailers.
How will you make ‘tabula rasa’ yours?
