those architects develop spacious loft-like office for financial company in chicago

sydney-based firm those architects has realized a loft-like workspace in chicago belonging to ansarada, a growing financial data services company.

the recreation and informal meeting rooms are located kitchen-side of the black box
all images © luc remond

the renovation by those architects has resulted in a dynamic office space which includes diverse collaboration spaces, a full-scale batting cage and comfortable breakout areas. the office occupies 880 sqm area on the fifth floor of an old warehouse. the old materials, exposed bricks, posts and beams are still details left behind from its previous use. as the building was not heritage listed, this enabled the architects to fit-out the space in a less sensitive approach.

‘while remaining respectful to the grand old lady we inherited, we were able to insert some substantial architectural elements into the space to enable us to better establish functional zones throughout this project’. says ben mitchell, those architects director.

the 880 sqm (9500 sqft) project is located in chicago’s river north district

the interior was designed to revolve around the concept of being acoustically and aesthetically functional. the company’s brand would be translated into the interior to encourage high performance from the employees. a black box volume sits at the center of the space and defines the three zones of the office. only does the central black plywood box provide the main architectural element in the space, it is detailed with hundreds of thousands of peg holes that enable the staff to utilize the entire surface in many ways. brushed solid brass pegs sleeve perfectly into the peg holes and are used for anything from writing your colleague a message to hanging a coat.

solid brass pegs fit into the peg holes and are used for anything from creating a message to hanging a coat

the bathroom, storage, meeting and reading rooms are all located inside this black volume. meanwhile, the recreation and informal meeting rooms are based kitchen-side of the black box. this open-plan zone accommodates the entry reception complete with custom detailed couches and light fixture, staff breakout area featuring custom soft furnishings, dining zone, gaming area and ultra refined meeting rooms.

a bold black plywood box at the center of the space is used to clearly define the three zones of the office