7.300 SF . Chicago, IL
SASSER FAMILY HOLDINGS
Sasser Family Holdings, a family owned transportation asset services and management business founded in 1928, was interested in a workplace design that would honor their company history and reinforce their core value of delivering innovative service to their customers. The client wanted an updated, modern office, with a clean, light, minimal look. Energy efficiency was another key priority.
An important intention of the design solution was to “elevate” the freight car from its gritty stockyard origins to more heroic proportions. Historically the rustic wood and metal framed freight cars were used to transport most types of freight and provided a superior advantage over other forms of transport. This historical success reflects the long history and innovation of Sasser Family Holdings as evidenced in the custom millwork and glass wall freight car wall located in the reception area.
The design team was challenged to represent the history and spirit of the company by elevating the design to larger and more playful abstracted forms that produced a sophisticated, artistic, sculptural design. Set as a backdrop to a 5,000 lb. truck set, the freight car wall separates the reception from the board room and becomes and iconic representation of this successful family-owned business.
The reception space serves as the “professional” face of the company, while the café space serves as the “family” face. Bold and expressive circles create simple architectural elements that seamlessly interconnect to adjacent spaces. Staggered, three-dimensional photo boxes create an interchangeable history wall that highlight family photos and provides site lines to a large aquarium teeming with reef life. These elements connect the wall structure between the CFO’s office, a small conference space and the corridor. Semi-transparent office fronts allow natural light to fill the space and reduce energy costs
UNIVERSAL FIBERS NEOCON BOOTH. BEST IN SHOW, LARGE BOOTH
UNIVERSAL FIBERS
In close collaboration with Universal Fibers, our design team (consisting of Interior, Graphic and multimedia designers) created an award winning tradeshow booth for Universal Fibers, Neocon 2016. Universal Fibers was unveiling their newest carpet fiber product, ThriveTM and wanted a space that was both engaging and sophisticated.
With boldly designed and colored carpet, back lit columns highlighting high-level product details, interactive islands with more detailed product features and a subtle fixture display, the Universal Fibers booth was eye-catching and interesting. The booth spotlight was the full-length rear wall with animated graphics and a cosmo-style quiz that invited guests to participated in an ever changing art piece using colored carpet fiber, over the 3-day Neocon event.
MAIN LOBBY RENOVATION. MULTIPLE PROJECTS.
2 NORTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
Built in the 1920's, 2 North Riverside Plaza (formerly known as the Daily News Building) is one of Chicago's best examples of Art Deco design in Architecture. Owned by Equity Group Investments, the management team sough to create an upgraded typical tenant standard for the restrooms, corridor and elevator lobby on the upper office floors. They upgraded all of the elevator cabs, building security, unified the building interior, exterior signage and completed a large multi-phase removation of the main lobby and concourse that connects the 2 North Riverside Plaza concourse to the Ogilvie Train Station
chicago, il
WMS GAMING
"Through imagination, talent and technology, we create and provide the world's most compelling gaming experiences." -WMS Mission Statement
The interior and architecture groups combined forces to design the new headquarters building in Chicago for one of the largest slot machine manufacturers. Keeping in mind the typical employee demographic, the goal was to create a comfortable, edgy, interesting, fun place to call home.
The main floor consists of the entrance atrium, a large training room, an oval shaped/ half-sized basketball court, aerobatics facility, kitchen with a large serving area, a dining area and a lounge. All thoughtfully placed and well designed to maximize WMS staff comfort and dynamics.
The upper levels consist of a series of design teams- each consisting of several types of designers and managerial staff. Due to the highly collaborative nature of the teams, typical team pods were created for each group. There were 4-6 pods per floor. Within each pod were three types of workstations and a main collaboration area highlighted with a subtle carpet and ceiling changes.
19,800 SF + 15,800 SF • CHICAGO, IL • LEED SILVER
XL GLOBAL
Strategic planning, workplace guidelines, and complete interior design services for 19,800
square feet of new office space. With a focus on corporate culture, an environmentally
friendly space and future work methods, the design solutions included perimeter open
neighborhood environments related to internal private offices for 88 people at move-in and
the flexibility to accommodate 116 people in the future creating an increase in efficiency of
about 25%.
Finding advantage with the availability of higher ceilings, distinctive arched window architecture
and significant views; planning, design and lighting strategies engaged the existing building
architecture in creating a space showcasing both XL’s developing brand and a renewed focus
on group collaboration. Designed to be a LEED Silver space, finishes, furniture, lighting and
construction played equally important roles in contributing to the Green design aspects.
9,700 SF • CHICAGO, IL
GRISKO AD AGENCY
Grisko is a Chicago-based ad agency with a young staff and significant expertise in marketing and public relations. They moved into a new space in the historic Tribune Tower in downtown Chiacgo and created a dynamic new headquarters that reflect their creative, talented, growing staff.
With a smaller budget and a unique space, the design team utilized strong visuals, bright colors, original features and unique design solutions for both offices and open work spaces that illustrated their culture and dynamic.
The new space layered original concrete floors & ceilings with new for a modern take on a historic space. Open-front offices, colorful workspaces, clean line furniture and a lot of natural light creates an inviting, collaborative workspace with a multi-functional cafe for team meetings and company events.
CHICAGO, IL
215 WEST WASHINGTON
High-rise residential, new construction building located in Chiacago, IL. Layout and design work completed for the model display unit, public spaces including the main lobby, amenity level floor, upper level patio area and common corridors.
LAKE FOREST, IL
LAKE FOREST COLLEGE
Lake Forest College is one of the nation's most innovative liberal arts colleges. Boasting both strong academic and athletic minded students, the college had the opportunity to update their existing athletic facility with a brand new, state of the art multi-level, multi-use athletic facility for both students and facility.
