Partnering with global financial firm Plante Moran, SmithGroupJJR created a prototype facility for a new way of working across all of its locations throughout North America. The first 87,000 gsf project completed in Chicago incorporates a conference center and café on the ground level, with open office space for 350 employees on upper levels. The design strategy positions space as a tool to balance privacy, collaboration, talent attraction, and employee retention by shifting away from a traditional enclosed office

The entire perimeter on the upper floors is open office allowing daylight and views to the maximum amount of people, including those in the offices which have full glass fronts. Exposed ceilings at circulation and backlit tessellated feature ceilings allows for a more dynamic feeling in an otherwise ordered plan and also serves as wayfinding.

The Chicago project will serve as benchmark for the eight to ten additional facilities planned. This included the recently completed office in Detroit, Michigan. The new design implemented in the Chicago Office transcends traditional office hierarchy and provides a visually open, light-filled workplace through reducing and reorganizing glass-enclosed partner offices. Varying size meeting spaces accommodate diverse work styles, with several zones providing a “see and be seen” environment that promotes the Plante Moran brand.

Design: SmithGroupJJR
Photography: Christopher Barrett

http://officesnapshots.com/2015/06/30/plante-moran-chicago-offices/