Mansueto Office

Chicago, Illinois

Finding serenity amid a bustling city is a challenge, but the new Mansueto Office in the iconic Wrigley Building is an urban oasis. A light and airy feeling permeates the space, thanks to perimeter windows open to circulation and the incorporation of natural materials. Whether enjoying the warmth of the built-in fireplace or taking in views of the Chicago River, employees and guests are immediately put at ease.

With approximately 3,200 square feet to plan, the office needed to be flexible, streamlined, and open to accommodate growth. We created two distinct zones, divided by a centrally located conference room with clear glazing. Employees can choose to work at the built-in banquette along the north wall, or head to the south and west elevations for casual conferencing options and collaboration spaces.

The support spaces were built with an understated and warm Japanese Ash veneer feature wall with glass portholes offering a peek into some of the rooms.

We designed efficient support spaces and focus rooms to serve employees’ needs for privacy and added a small pantry near the back of the conference area. The curved Japanese Ash veneer feature wall enables a natural flow, and the exposed ceiling evokes a sense of expansiveness.

Comfortable furnishings and woven wool area rugs offer textural grounding and highlight the original wood floors, which we refurbished to honor the building’s legacy and create harmony with the Japanese Ash throughout the office.

Ceiling height was maximized by keeping the deck open with plastered-over clay tile for a smooth texture and the infrastructure elements painted out. Exposed ceiling elements were carefully coordinated to achieve a clean and orderly appearance.

People who visit our space often comment on the ambiance being “tranquil”, “Zen”, and “calming”. They also like the juxtaposition of the original floors along with the modern elements.

Project Team

People
Gina Berndt
People
Tim Wolfe
People
Kristin Rosebrough