Hinshaw & Culbertson Offices – Chicago
Hinshaw & Culbertson’s new office celebrates innovation and reinforces the law firm's strong connection to Chicago, the place where the firm has been headquartered for 84 years.
Solomon Cordwell Buenz were engaged by Hinshaw & Culbertson to design their new law firm offices located in Chicago, Illinois.
SCB’s has designed over 20 offices for national law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson, in a relationship that extends for more than 15 years. The driving force behind the design of Hinshaw’s new Chicago office was twofold: it celebrates innovation and reinforces Hinshaw’s strong connection to Chicago, the place where the firm has been headquartered for 84 years.
With a floor plan that gives workers direct access to natural light and views and eliminates the hierarchy of office space among attorneys, the spatial organization reflects the forward-thinking nature of the firm’s leadership and culture. As the first Hinshaw location to feature universally-sized offices, the design promotes greater spatial efficiency and flexibility to accommodate future growth. The plan for the 121,000-square-foot workplace is also informed by key adjacency needs between partners, associates, and administrative staff. This new approach to space planning reduces the firm’s square footage allowance per employee by 45%.
The look and feel of the shared spaces is timeless and tailored; its overall sophistication is punctuated throughout with edgier elements and unexpected moments that call attention to the creative culture of the city. Works by local artists and photographers abound and visitors will find a unique surprise in the central stairwell connecting Hinshaw’s four floors, a nod to the urban fabric that makes Chicago unique. A curated palette of materials, including calacatta borghini marble, warm woods, and steel paired with contemporary furnishings evoke a sense of urban hospitality throughout the client-facing areas. The interior design also capitalizes on the panoramic city vistas and Lake Michigan. Each view from the floor-to-ceiling glass expanses are treated as captivating, dynamic pieces of art that constantly change throughout the day and year.
Designer: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Photography: Steve Hall
