After 10 years in Chicago, it became apparent that Gensler was at home in the city of Chicago and needed a space that supported and represented the practice that had been established here. Having nearly 200 employees on four floors at Chicago’s Inland Steel building, moving to a space where everyone could fit on one floor was imperative to integr... read more

After 10 years in Chicago, it became apparent that Gensler was at home in the city of Chicago and needed a space that supported and represented the practice that had been established here. Having nearly 200 employees on four floors at Chicago’s Inland Steel building, moving to a space where everyone could fit on one floor was imperative to integrate the design disciplines and continue to grow the office culture. Essentially, Gensler needed to create the one-floor-firm. The new office in the iconic Louis Sullivan building in the epicenter of downtown Chicago pays tribute to the pedigree of the building and complements the history and style of Sullivan’s work. The open work plan – with a ratio of 1:1 assigned seats to collaborative seats -- builds a connection between disciplines and talent. Never more than half a row away from a collaboration table, employees have ample space to focus, collaborate, learn and socialize. Because research and materials are at the heart of the designer’s work, the library runs as the backbone through the space. It is open and robust to expose the design process and engage both employees and clients. Fresh stories about the people, office culture and city context are told in the space through our work, our process and a celebration of Louis Sullivan’s ornamentation. The design tells the story about who we are – the one-floor-firm.
collapse