Workplace

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Solomon Cordwell Buenz

Design for a changing world.

Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm with a thoughtful design vision and a dynamic national imprint. Since 1931, SCB has made a lasting visual impact on skylines, campuses, and neighborhoods nationwide.

From offices in Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle, we offer our expertise to clients across the country, helping them achieve their goals, serve their constituents, and create unique built environments. Our approach is to ask questions, listen, and develop the best design solution for each individual project. We are future-oriented, continually challenging ourselves to design to a higher standard, innovate at every level, and give our clients more as we achieve design excellence.

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Vital Proteins Vital Proteins (VP), a collagen-based wellness company, selected SCB to

Design Drivers

design their new 26,000-square-foot headquarters in Chicago’s vibrant Fulton Market District. SCB worked closely with VP’s leadership through an extensive programming effort to identify key space needs, strategies to accommodate a growing workforce, and unique amenities that support the dynamic and

Align workspace with culture and values

evolving organization. The resulting design is a modern, California inspired “lifestyle office” that facilitates an emotional connection to the company’s brand pillars: health and wellness, fitness, and natural beauty.

Attract and retain talent

The exposed brick and concrete of the original loft building are complemented by natural design elements. White-washed wood, green walls, vibrant visuals and geometric elements made from authentic, sustainable materials create the laid-back, coastal ambiance. The workplace promotes communication and teamwork and is connected by a “boardwalk” that serves as the main circulation path through the space. A central two-story atrium features a cafe and a large social stair used for gatherings and presentations by influencers, brand partners, and clients.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

25,600 USF / 213 USF per employee

Private Office

2%

Open Office

98%

Conference

0.4 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.9 collaboration seats per employee

Increase collaboration

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Mondelez Mondelez International, Inc., one of the world’s largest snack providers and home to many

Design Drivers

well-known brands such as Oreo, Cadbury, Triscuit, and Nabisco, selected SCB to design their new Chicago headquarters. The company’s strategic decision to move from a suburban location to the vibrant Fulton Market District was devised as an opportunity to attract talent and accommodate future growth, as well as link more directly with consumers, thereby

Celebrate company legacy and brand

enhancing recognition of their iconic brands.

Working closely with company leadership, SCB developed a new vision for the office; one that blends contemporary workplace design, authentically urban materials, and local

Attract and retain talent

artisanry. Visually, the space aligns with Mondelez International’s brand palette, but gestures towards the wabi-sabi design approach, embracing the ‘beautifully imperfect.’ Brick walls and columns, steel connecting stairs and accents, and wood ceilings are combined with lighthearted art installations and murals throughout the space, creating a unique, engaging, warm and playful environment, evocative of the “feel good” vibes that their snacks and products have delivered to their customers for decades.

Spacious, flexible and interactive, the four-story open office is completely comprised of bench-style workstations, including those of the executive team and CEO. Complementing the open office are a variety of support spaces such as phone rooms and conference rooms, as well as informal meeting spaces and cafes to accommodate individual and group workstyles.

A “Connect Zone” on the fifth floor provides staff with a company store, a communal kitchen, and large gathering area with a stage for all staff meetings and presentations.

The “Connect Zone” opens to one of the office’s two large outdoor terraces, which offer additional opportunities for community building amongst staff.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

73,100 USF / 244 USF per employee

Private Office

0%

Open Office

100%

Conference

1.5 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.4 collaboration seats per employee

Reflect innovative and forward-thinking culture

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Barry Callebaut Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate

Design Drivers

products, selected SCB to complete a 40,000-square-foot expansion of their Chicago office, located in the landmark Montgomery Ward building.

Employees enter the space through a large, communal café space that features a variety

Align workspace with culture and values

of seating and two kitchens. Display cases and shelving feature the company’s products, while a “hedge” of plants delineates seating areas and the main circulation path through the space. A long communal table is accented with an eclectic mix of brightly colored chairs.

The use of bold color in the space continues in the rich-hued green kitchen cabinetry and

Attract and retain talent

tile backsplash. A demonstration area offers a large island workspace for prep work and a custom product display comprised of spoons, each holding various chocolate creations.

A board room is located at the center of the new office floor, adjacent to a self-serve chocolate bar. In the workspace itself, the designers leveraged and preserved the original industrial aesthetic of the once manufacturing space including exposed brick walls, concrete columns, wood ceilings and large black-framed, double hung windows which provide an abundance of natural light and views to the city and Chicago River. Nestled amongst the bench-style workstations are a number of informal collaboration areas and worktables for smaller meetings.

Conference rooms and a few select private offices are located along the western perimeter of the floor, each fully glazed as to not prohibit any natural light from reaching the interior spaces. A library space doubles as a yoga studio, providing a quiet space of respite within the office.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

32,000 USF / 141 USF per employee

Private Office

0%

Open Office

100%

Conference

0.5 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.1 collaboration seats per employee

Flexible design and future-proofing

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The Hanover Company The Hanover Company’s new corporate headquarters is located in one of the company’s

Design Drivers

Support transparency and communication

newest mixed-use developments, Boulevard Place. The 60,000-square-foot office is modern yet timeless, with a distinct residential feel, reflecting the company’s business as one of the nation’s largest multi-family developers.

Implement new advanced technology

The main entry features a large two-story lobby that connects to a four-story atrium through a monumental marble, glass, and steel stair. The atrium provides a visual connection throughout the space and fosters elevator-free movement between floors. The ground floor lobby is designed to host large events and company-wide gatherings and includes a large conference room for external meetings.

The office floors boast high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass, maximizing daylight throughout the spaces. The C-Suite offices are visually connected through a series of glass side lights and open to “living room” within the building’s atrium. A large, new materials library offers pin-up space, as well as ample material layout space with multiple light temperatures for finish reviews. A flex conference room features state-of-the-art Bluescape technology with four large touch panel screens to support interactive design meetings.

Location

Houston, TX

Size

53,480 USF / 334 USF per employee

Private Office

40%

Open Office

60%

Conference

0.6 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.6 collaboration seats per employee

Align workplace with culture and values

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Upwork Upwork, a web-based global freelancing platform based in Silicon Valley,

Design Drivers

selected SCB to design a new workplace for the relocation of their Chicago office. The design celebrates Upwork’s growing presence in the city as well as the company’s mission to provide economic opportunities in local communities around the world.

Attract and retain talent

To connect the new space to its surroundings, the design team organized the office into different areas tied to Chicago neighborhoods. Lending character to each office quadrant, graphics reminiscent of Chicago’s iconic

Flexible design and future-proofing

landmarks and the team’s favorite watering holes and hangouts are referenced throughout. To create continuity with Upwork’s brand identity, SCB channeled the California-cool design vibe that the company is known for, and combined it with a fresh aesthetic, verdant accents, and moments of whimsy. The open floor plan features sit-to-stand workstations, a number of collaboration and informal meeting spaces, quiet areas for individual work, and a large café space that can accommodate meetings for up to 150 people. Ranked as one of the “Best Places to Work in Chicago,” the fun and forward-looking space creates an environment that celebrates the Upwork culture and the urban surroundings.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

28,376 USF / 129 USF per employee

Private Office

0%

Open Office

100%

Conference

1 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.8 collaboration seats per employee

Align workspace with culture and values

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Hinshaw & Culbertson SCB’s relationship with Hinshaw & Culbertson spans over 15 years, having

Design Drivers

designed over 20 office locations for the national law firm. SCB’s design concept for Hinshaw’s new Chicago office was to create a space that reflects the duality of Hinshaw’s identity as a law practice: an established firm with a contemporary sensibility.

Maximize space efficiency

As the first Hinshaw location to utilize universal-sized offices, this project reflects a new era in planning for the firm. This change allows for greater efficiency throughout the space and creates flexibility to accommodate future growth. The interior design for the space capitalizes on the panoramic views

Align workspace with culture and values

to the city and Lake Michigan. Each view from the floor-to-ceiling glass expanse are captivating and dynamic pieces of art that constantly change throughout the day and year. In the client-facing areas of the office, a timeless palette of materials including calacatta borghini marble, warm woods, and steel paired with contemporary furnishings evoke a sense of urban hospitality.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

100,020 USF / 606 USF per attorney

Private Office

79% (universal-sized offices)

Open Office

21%

Conference

1.4 seats per attorney

Admin

3.2 attorneys per assistant

Flexible design and future-proofing

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Michael Best & Friedrich Located in The Wharf, a newly revitalized waterfront neighborhood,

Design Drivers

Michael Best’s DC office was inspired by the unique energy and history of the nation’s capital. The contrast of old and new is captured in a tailored palette of classic white, polished concrete floors and exposed columns, glass, and backlit marble. Elements such as a burled walnut accent wall

Align workspace with culture and values

and curated furniture pieces reflect the firm’s 150+ year legacy, while modern accent pieces and lighting signify its reputation as a growing, forward-thinking firm. Universal-sized offices demonstrate the progressive culture of the firm and reduce the emphasis on hierarchal office allocations.

Attract and retain talent

All-glass office fronts provide the full floorplate with access to daylight and views of the waterfront. To encourage a collaborative, connected workplace, a multi-purpose room serves as a gathering space for meetings and encourages daily use through its grab-and-go Fresh Market food station. To reserve space for future growth, SCB’s plan for the space incorporates two temporary sublease spaces, with separate entries, that can be rented to tenants now, but easily convert into more office space for Michael Best in later years.

Location

Washington, D.C.

Size

23,000 USF / 742 USF per attorney

Private Office

70% (universal-sized office)

Open Office

30%

Conference

0.6 seats per attorney

Admin

4 attorneys per assistant

Flexible design and future-proofing

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Michael Best & Friedrich Located in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop, SCB's design for the new

Design Drivers

offices of Michael Best & Friedrich creates a modern and sophisticated work environment that supports the firm's recognition as a talented and progressive law firm. Michael Best’s brand and core values center on its people, clients, and the communities in which they work; in response,

Align workspace with culture and values

SCB found innovative ways to incorporate these values in the new space.

For example, a culture wall located in the reception space celebrates each staff member and their contributions to the firm. The reception area also features a coffee bar, greeting clients and guests from the moment they

Attract and retain talent

enter into the space. Vibrant, local artwork is displayed throughout the office, signifying Michael Best’s involvement and investment in Chicago.

Universal-sized, fully-glazed, private offices are located along the perimeter of the floorplate, preserving views to the city and allowing for an abundance of daylight for the workstations located in the center of the space. A timeless,

wood-toned palette adds warmth while contemporary fixtures and clean lines offer a subtle modern contrast.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

24,860 USF / 552 USF per attorney

Private Office

85% (universal-sized office)

Open Office

15%

Conference

1.1 seats per attorney

Admin

4 attorneys per assistant

Flexible design and future-proofing

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Capital One Capital One made a strategic decision to establish a significant presence in the Chicago market by creating a vertical campus in a downtown Class-A office building. One of the main objectives to this strategic real estate move was to have better access to tech talent. In order to compete within the technology sector and expectations of the workforce in the market, the

Design Drivers

project’s goals centered on creating a vibrant, progressive, and dynamic space to revitalize the organization’s professional environment while supporting their objective to appeal to the contemporary expectations of younger talent.

Attract and retain talent

The inspiration for the design was rooted in the idea of merging old industry with new technology, giving the space a modern vibe with a hint of nostalgia.

Industrial elements collide with warm furnishings and are paired with unexpected

Increase collaboration

details and playful accents. Bright colors, monochromatic details, and modern fixtures and furniture throughout the office further illustrate this theme.

In addition to a variety of work space options including open benches, private offices, and hoteling stations to support mobile work, the space features a parlor, game room, study, and library.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

19,898 USF / 129 USF per employee

Private Office

3%

Open Office

97%

Conference

0.7 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.8 collaboration seats per employee

Support mobility

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Huron Consulting Group SCB continues their long-standing relationship with Huron Consulting Group,

Design Drivers

a global professional services firm, with the renovation of the company’s office in Beaverton, Oregon. The timber loft building features high, exposed ceilings and concrete floors, providing a modern industrial design aesthetic, while subtle

Maximize space efficiency

uses of color add warmth and dimension. Shifting from private offices to an open workplace, the new floorplan and workstations support collaboration and project-based work. To maximize daylight in the space, workstations and informal meeting spaces line the perimeter of the office while glass-front conference rooms of varying sizes are located along the floor’s central core.

Establish corporate workplace standards

Catering to the significant number of employees who bike to work, SCB included floor-to-ceiling storage display racks near the main entrance of the office.

A game room featuring a café, ping pong and shuffleboard tables, and dart boards appeal to the young employee demographic that works out of this office.

Location

Beaverton, OR

Size

24,330 USF / 196 USF per employee

Private Office

0%

Open Office

100%

Conference

0.8 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.3 collaboration seats per employee

Reduce silos between departments

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Riverside Investment and Development SCB was retained by Riverside Investment and Development to design their

Design Drivers

new office space on the 18 floor of the company's premier Class-A office th

tower, 150 North Riverside. Taking advantage of the building’s floor-to-ceiling glass and unparalleled views of downtown, open workstations are located along the perimeter of the floor, while private offices line the building’s core providing

Align workspace with culture and values

views of the surrounding city and access to natural light throughout the entire space. The interior design was inspired by the building’s architecture and notable structural systems, and features bold geometry and a vibrant mix of colors and materials.

Attract and retain talent

Large-scale photographs of the company's many Chicagoland projects are featured as wall graphics in shared conference and phone rooms. Continuing this celebration of Riverside's legacy, SCB also designed custom furniture pieces for the office utilizing graphic representations of Riverside’s projects. A central pantry, with a highly-detailed walnut portal, anchors the main corridor and serves as a multi-purpose gathering space.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

4,595 USF / 328 USF per employee

Private Office

36%

Open Office

64%

Conference

1.3 seats per employee

Modernize interiors

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IMC IMC, a global technology-driven trading firm, selected SCB to renovate and

Design Drivers

expand their offices and create a new workplace that would reflect and support the company's staff and forward-thinking culture. A new reception area takes its design cues from the hospitality market, featuring icon European large pieces, and a coffee bar. Working within Willis Tower, SCB embraced the structural

Align workspace with culture and values

challenges of the building, incorporating and featuring the columns and large trusses as part of the design. Adjacent to reception is a large training center which opens up to a pre-function space through a series of custom pivoting wall

Attract and retain talent

panels. A beautiful wood feature stair connects the new floor to the renovated trading floor above.

The design supports IMC's collaborative workplace by offering a variety of informal meeting spaces for group work with ample writeable surfaces for idea sharing and problem solving. The new space also offers a unique set of amenities designed to specifically support the screen-focused work on the trading floor. Two technology-free lounges are provided as a space to unplug and reset, while a wellness suite composed of a mother’s room, prayer/mediation room, massage room, and headache recovery room provide more private spaces for retreat.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

58,700 USF / 189 USF per employee

Private Office

3%

Open Office

97%

Conference

1.2 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.5 collaboration seats per employee

Reflect innovative and forward-thinking culture

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CIBC SCB was engaged by CIBC to complete a 80,000-square-foot restack and

Design Drivers

expansion of their Chicago office, located at 70 West Madison. The current office is situated on one floor; the SCB team expanded and renovated the entire space. Although some new design standards were implemented, the

Maximize space efficiency

team used much of the space’s existing conditions. The new office environment is team-oriented and functional, supporting CIBC's position as a collaborative, productive, and innovative company in the Chicago

Increase collaboration

marketplace. A variety of collaboration spaces were added, and the design team created more efficient, functional layouts for the space. During the programming phase of this project, SCB delivered a space occupancy program report. The report included organizational diagrams, adjacency and business process requirements, and stacking diagrams.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

69,600 USF / 155 USF per employee

Private Office

17%

Open Office

83%

Conference

0.5 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.7 collaboration seats per employee

Align workspace with culture and values

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Hub Group One of the nation's leading intermodal transportation companies, Hub

Design Drivers

Group, retained SCB for the architecture and interior design of their new international headquarters build-to-suit. The design for the four-story, LEED Gold facility focused on a creating a streamlined and transparent building, featuring a high-performance, floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall to capitalize

Celebrate company legacy and brand

on natural light.

SCB’s interior design focused on encouraging collaboration and connectivity among employees through thoughtful adjacencies and floor plans sensitive

Increase productivity

to different work styles and modes. The open floor plans incorporate spaces for both private and informal breakout meetings that serve to balance the desire for a productive, engaging workplace with operational needs. The building’s modern and crisp aesthetic is paired with colorful graphics and accent furniture that celebrate Hub Group’s brand; Hub’s ubiquitous green shipping containers are playfully used as partitions to demarcate break-out spaces.

The new building has resulted in a more productive and engaging workplace that speaks to the company’s forward-thinking goals while remaining true to its powerful legacy and brand.

Location

Oakbrook, IL

Size

130,000 GSF / 97,580 USF / 170 USF per employee

Private Office

34%

Open Office

66%

Conference

0.5 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.2 collaboration seats per employee

Support a variety of work modes

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PSAV PSAV, an event planning, design, and technology solutions company, engaged

Design Drivers

SCB for the relocation and design of their new office. The goals for the project included updating the company’s workplace aesthetic and unifying departments dispersed on multiple floors. To facilitate cross-floor interaction,

Maximize space efficiency

SCB designed a bold connecting stair that serves as a focal point for the office.

Seeking to create a unified and visually open environment while maintaining the company’s private office program, the design team located private offices along the interior core of the building and lined the exterior wall with workstations.

This, along with low-height workstations and glazed interior walls, allows the

Reduce silos between departments

greatest proportion of employees to have access to natural light enhancing a sense of openness throughout. A custom environmental graphic comprised of small infographics of PSAV’s product solutions spells out the company’s name in the elevator lobby.

Location

Schiller Park, IL

Size

54,553 USF / 221 USF per employee

Private Office

40%

Open Office

60%

Conference

0.6 seats per employee

Open Collab

0.3 collaboration seats per employee

Support transparency and communication

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210 N Carpenter 210 North Carpenter is a 12-story speculative, creative office building in Chicago’s

Design Drivers

Fulton Market district. Located on a site that was previously home to Foote Brothers, an aircraft motor company in the 1920s, the interior design for the building was inspired by the notions of movement and flight, with a nod to the classical traditions of aviation design. Materials such as cold-rolled steel

Attract tenants

and exposed concrete floors combine with rivet details, aerodynamic-formed ceiling lights, turnbuckles, and large-scale abstracted images of airplane parts throughout the lobby and public spaces.

Provide state-of-the-art amenities

An amenity floor is located on the 10th floor of the building and features a large tenant bar and lounge area. The centerpiece of the design is a custom, curated artifact wall displaying various objects found and collected from sites developed by the client across the city. Steel posts salvaged from the project site serve as a sculptural screening element between the lounge and conference center. A Nanawall opens up to connect the indoors to a large outdoor terrace. A fitness center, yoga studio, locker rooms, and a two-lane indoor lap pool round out the building’s one of a kind amenity program.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

242,000 GSF / 206,000 USF / 9,000 SF amenities /

11,000 SF outdoor

Sustainability

LEED Gold

Wellness in the workplace

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625 W Adams 625 West Adams is a 20-story speculative office building in Chicago’s West

Design Drivers

Loop neighborhood. Though the building is new construction, SCB sought to inject some of the West Loop’s industrial aesthetic into the amenity spaces.

Exposed concrete, reclaimed wood, and dark metal accents provide a material

Attract tenants

and textural juxtaposition to the glassy, modern architecture of the building.

The building’s amenity spaces were designed to support a broad spectrum of potential building tenants. The main amenity floor was envisioned primarily

Provide state-of-the-art amenities

as a social complement to the office floors below. A large kitchen and bar area welcomes tenants to gather for lunch or social events in the evening.

An adjacent lounge area provides a variety of soft seating and is accented with a sculptural light fixture. The kitchen and lounge connect to a generous terrace which overlooks Heritage Green Park and the historic Old St. Patrick’s Church. An east-facing fitness center and yoga studio boast expansive city views. Rounding out the amenity floor is a flexible conference space that can host larger meetings or be partitioned into smaller meeting rooms.

Location

Chicago, IL

Size

640,000 GSF / 430,000 USF / 11,000 SF indoor amenities /

2,000 SF outdoor

Sustainability

LEED Silver

Space for entertaining and events

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Telegraph Tower Mapping the scales of the surrounding context and celebrating Oakland’s vibrant

Design Drivers

Attract tenants

arts scene inspired the design concept for Telegraph Tower. The tower is broken down into discrete glass volumes that respond to the proportional scales and views of the neighborhood. A perforated patinaed metal seam features balconies for each office floor, separates the glass volumes, and visually connects the base

Provide state-of-the-art amenities

with the tower. Each glass façade contains a unique pattern of pleated curtain wall modules with exterior vertical fins optimized to reduce solar loads and glare.

The building spans an underground BART tunnel that runs diagonally through the site, necessitating the inclusion of several long-span trusses. These trusses create column free retail space and also inform the stepped office profile above the building base.

The lobby and outdoor plaza incorporate several large, local art pieces including Oakland artist Karen Cusolito’s stunning steel sculpture of a figure that appears to be holding up the corner of the building. Inspired by the notions of community, connection and wellness, the interior of the tower features virtually column-free, expansive floorplates with interconnected workspaces and high ceilings that provide panoramic views and maximize daylight. The building incorporates the latest advances in smart and energy efficient building design, including 100% outside air filtration systems. Three terraces and 33 balconies create 30,000-square-feet of combined outdoor access on every level and deliver unobstructed views of the Bay, San Francisco, and the East Bay. Location

Oakland, CA

Size

941,586 GSF / 875,000 USF / 38,780 SF amenities / 30,000 SF outdoor

Sustainability

Targeting LEED Gold

Support community and connection

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Design for a changing world.

Architecture | Interiors | Planning www.scb.com