AIA Chicago’s New Office Fosters Interaction, Collaboration
Chapter’s office design chosen from Young Architects Forum competition

by Russell Boniface
Associate Editor

How do you . . . get a fresh new space and more visibility for your chapter?

Summary: AIA Chicago moved into its new 4,000-square-foot, second-level office space last March in the historic neoclassical Jewelers Building, overlooking the Chicago River. The design is the result of a competition held by the AIA’s Young Architects Forum. The winning design increases AIA Chicago’s visibility among its members and encourages interaction and collaboration among its seven-person staff. Interface, the winning team, composed of five young architects, was sponsored by HOK Chicago.

The genesis of a new component office space
After 15 years at the Merchandise Mart building, the AIA Chicago Board of Directors hoped for an office in a new location with better visibility. The chapter also thought it would contribute to the emerging professional world by offering the opportunity to design the new space to young architects. AIA Chicago worked with the Young Architects Forum to hold a competition calling for office designs.

“In a city like Chicago, there aren’t many opportunities for young architects,” says AIA Chicago Executive Vice President Zurich Esposito. “We thought we could do a blind competition and select five finalist teams. The competition was staged before we even found a new building. It might have been illogical, but it had a happy outcome.”

The name of the design competition was called Genesis. The five finalist teams received a financial reward and the opportunity to interview for the commission. “At the interview, we requested the teams bring their proposed architect of record, because most of the people who applied for the competition were not licensed,” explains Esposito. The winning design team was called Interface, and their architect of record was HOK Chicago, which reviewed and signed-off on drawings. “The interviewing and communication skills of Interface influenced our decision in selecting them,” Esposito points out. The four Interface team members are Natalie Banaszak and Daimian Hines, both with HOK Chicago; Andrew Senderak of Gensler, Chicago; and Daniel West of KEO International Consultants, Abu Dhabi.

Flexible space in a historic building
“For a while we knew who was going to design the space before we knew where the space was going to be,” says Esposito. AIA Chicago selected the majestic 35 East Wacker Drive—formerly known as the Jewelers Building—to be its new home. The 40-story building, which combines Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts styles in a downtown setting that overlooks the Chicago River, is home to prominent architecture firm Murphy/Jahn. AIA Chicago moved into an L-shaped, second-story office space of 4,000 square feet.

The chapter moved into its new space just six months after the competition decision. “Luckily, all the pieces fit together,” Esposito says. “Moving to a centrally located downtown building has made us a more visible entity. It’s very easy for members to find us. The building is easy to navigate, has a restored grand lobby, great signage, and good lighting. Right up the grand staircase is our office.”

The Interface office design for AIA Chicago is open and flexible, dividing staff space with shared office areas and integrating a multipurpose reception area. This reception space, plus the conference room, library/living room, and bar/kitchen can be reconfigured using a pivoting, sliding glass wall system. “The glass walls can essentially disappear to open up the space for many uses,” describes Esposito. “For example, off of the reception area are our conference room/programming area and library/living room, both separated from reception by the glass wall system. When the glass wall system is closed, we can have a group meeting in the library, a larger group meeting in the conference area, and conduct business in the reception area. When we slide the glass walls open, reception becomes an open space that can hold more than 100 people.”

The library is set up as a living room and makes a great place for staff meetings. “That is where I feel we are the most relaxed and exchange our own ideas more freely than we did when we were sitting around a conference room table,” Esposito says. “We never would have gone in that direction if we were not challenged by the fresh voice and opinions of the Interface team.”

The open staff area boasts large spaces that offer views of the Chicago River and downtown. “We have amazing views,” enthuses Esposito. “Looking out the window of our office is like experiencing Chicago architectural history 101. There’s a little bit of everything.” The executive vice president’s office has glass walls and is located by the reception space to make it visible and open to staff and visiting members.

A social environment; members can feel at home
“The design has led to a more collaborative, social environment,” Esposito notes. “That was an important goal we were hoping to achieve. All of us understand the function of the office better and we’re all now better equipped to handle questions and situations as they arise.”

Making members feel at home was also an objective of the design. “Members are welcome to come in and use the space. A sole practitioner who doesn’t have an office for meetings can hold a client meeting here, architects studying for licensure can use the space for study halls, or members can just drop in between meetings and work on a laptop or use the space in any way that suits them. The space also encourages members to interact with staff. Another aspect was that the kitchen is always available to the members. The refrigerator is well stocked and members are welcome to help themselves. They don’t need to ask permission for a soda—it’s their space.” Interior finishes include sustainable furnishings, millwork cabinetry, and a bamboo kitchen floor.

Young architects get an A+; competition strategy recommended
For components seeking to create a new office environment, Esposito recommends a young architects design competition.

“I stepped into this job when the competition was under way, and I thought, ‘What are they getting themselves into? This seems like a really complicated way to go.’ Now, I’m so glad we went this route. It was not complicated. The Interface team was incredibly professional, fun to work with, and had great ideas that challenged my notions of what a professional office is supposed to be.”

“I give them an A+ for client service. They had to deal not only with me but also the board and the committee that oversaw the build-out. There were a lot of opinions, so there was a lot of pressure on the team knowing that so many eyes and so many architects were watching over the project and judging it. They worked closely with the construction team and engineers, and everybody involved was dedicated and committed. We worked so closely with the young architects that I feel they became good friends of the organization.”