Corporate Concepts Blog

As the needs of faculty and students move further away from what buildings constructed in the 20^th century can provide, universities have stretched their imaginations and budgets to develop improved learning environments to attract and retain students.

In a study of how educational spaces can best suit students, administrators and faculty, Knoll found that the chief factors contributing to the quality of teaching and the educational experience for students and faculty depends largely on three key factors:

1. Flexibility of classroom space
2. Ease of reconfiguration of classroom furniture
3. Ease of reconfiguration of classroom technology

When CNA Insurance was ready to relocate 1,700 employees from their Chicago headquarters to a brand new building at 151 N. Franklin, they knew there was an opportunity to reimagine their work environment.

Chief among their goals were to increase collaborative space for their teams, give employees more choices in how they work, and to establish a sense of community in their office. A modernized atmosphere positively impacts office culture and stimulates employees. Corporate Concepts worked within the designs by IA Interior Architects to amplify CNA’s core message, “we can show you more”, by starting with ancillary furniture in open meeting areas, conferencing, executive floor and boardrooms.

From developing policies and practices to protect the biosphere, conserve natural resources and reduce waste, Knoll has been at the forefront of government development and design for over 25 years. Knoll’s alignment with the U.S. Green Building Council helps federal, state and local governments achieve LEED certification and strive for a sustainable future.

What makes Knoll a clear choice for government entities is their ongoing commitment to modern design which focuses on clean production, organized aesthetics and user-friendly, ergonomic structures that provide a practical, beautiful and most of all, comfortable office space.

When you’re in the real estate business, you learn to challenge conventional thinking about design and learn to make the ordinary extraordinary. So when BJB Partners needed to renovate their own office to adhere to their brand guidelines of “Vintage. Modern. Remarkable.” they came to Corporate Concepts for help flipping perceptions of traditional thinking to something special through measured, impactful design.

Out with the old, and in with the new. Today’s employees are looking for more than just a desk and a communal coffee pot, which means it’s time for employers to adapt.

The contemporary office demands flexibility and adaptability, and the modern-day worker demands that too — and more. Top companies are acting on requests from employees to ensure their office spaces are comfortable, offer collaborative work environments and have a built-in flexibility to do much more.

In collaboration with Gensler, Corporate Concepts recently completed a project installation for leading private equity firm, Thoma Bravo. Thoma Bravo’s new space consists of 29 private offices, each requiring a sense of sophistication and elegance.

Located at 150 N. Riverside, the office totals 14,000 square feet. The project team at Gensler created a modern, understated office space for Thoma Bravo that features long sightlines, a mixture of muted textures and thought-provoking artwork featured throughout the office. 

In a collaboration for leading alternative investment management firm, Kayne Anderson, Corporate Concepts recently installed 16 private offices and five workstations at 150 N. Riverside highrise on the Chicago river west bank.

Anderson’s new 7,850 square foot space now offers high-performance workspaces as well as non-traditional meeting spaces. These collaborative areas were intentionally intermixed based on the company’s need to host clients and an internal goal to promote camaraderie amongst colleagues.

One of the most talked about commercial furniture lines making waves this year is the Muuto collection from Knoll. After acquiring the Danish company in January 2018, Knoll has released a range of modern designs spanning from furniture to lighting and accessories.