Putting great design into practice Hines Project   OM Workspace brings bold look, environmental sustainability to international real estate firm.   Project Specs Location: Chicago office Space: 14,500 sq. ft. Employees: 40 to 50 Workstations: 25 Private offices: 25 Conference rooms: 4

 

Situation

Hines, an international firm specializing in real estate investment, development and property management, is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world. As a result of significant growth, associates at the firm’s Chicago location were operating out of two separate locations, inhibiting productivity.

 

Hines has offices in 14 foreign countries and 68 U.S. cities, including its Chicago office. The vision Hines wanted to convey with its new Chicago office space was that of a world leader in its core business: skyscraper construction. This vision was realized through crisp, clean lines to the building’s exterior and interior space, unifying the design in an appealing aesthetic.

 

Challenge

A move to new office space presented Hines with the opportunity to unify its legal and administrative departments under one roof while also creating a modern, inviting and LEED-certified high-rise in downtown Chicago. The new office space further demonstrated the company’s commitment to the community through the LEED certification, as well as executing the design by utilizing green construction materials and GREENGUARD-certified furniture.

 

Solutions 

OM Workspace collaborated with the firm’s construction manager and interior designer to find furniture solutions that would bring Hines’ vision to fruition on time and on budget. Not compromising the budget for the aesthetics was a crucial factor in selecting furniture options. Also important was OM Workspace’s offering of Teknion GREENGUARD-certified furniture, low-emitting furniture that contributes to healthy interiors. Use of Teknion GREENGUARD-certified and Tuohy furniture helped Hines obtain additional points needed to obtain LEED green building certification.

 

The final Teknion office furniture selected included open-area workstations with custom wood paneling that provided a mature, warm, customer-facing aesthetic

and low panel lines to maintain visual privacy while also facilitating communication among employees. Seating was carefully selected to complement the office design and existing chair options that Hines retained from its original office space.

 

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for commercial interiors is the nationally recognized standard for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy places to work, are less costly to operate and maintain, and help reduce environmental impact. In addition to the natural operational cost efficiencies of LEED buildings, hundreds of cities have developed financial incentives to promote the development of LEED-certified projects through tax rebates, zoning allowances or other incentives.