Northwestern Mutual Offices – Fishers
Schott Design’s Northwestern Mutual offices in Fishers seamlessly blend whimsical sophistication and functional spaces, fostering collaboration and creativity while reflecting the firm’s commitment to innovative workplace design.
Northwestern Mutual, one of the most trusted leaders in financial planning and insurance, recently expanded to Fishers, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis. The new 13,300 square foot office maintains Northwestern Mutual’s ethos of creating specialized offices that support a joyous and meaningful return to work. No two office locations look the same, making each destination an immersive experience. For the Fishers location, Northwestern Mutual teamed up with Schott Design once again – this time, to provide a whimsical yet sophisticated workspace where hard work, collaboration, and creativity can seamlessly coexist while still catering to their relatively conventional clientele.
The entry contains a vignette of said whimsical sophistication, exhibited through the lush Spoonflower botanical wallcovering and textural chandelier in the waiting area paired with a dramatic stone, brass, and leather-look reception desk. These two unique spaces are made cohesive by color palette and the repeated scale of line seen in the wood feature walls of each space. The textured contrast of an adjacent Armstrong Metalworks Mesh ceiling leads the eye further into the suite while also serving as an anchor for the pops of warm metallic tones throughout.
Directly off the entry are five conference rooms that pack a punch. Alur glass walls create physical separation without sacrificing natural daylight access while applied mullions and muntins reflect structure and order. Each conference room appears to glow from the outside and contains its own jewel tone identity. Framing the wallcovering on both wall and ceiling with decorative molding proves a simple yet effective design feature that grounds the space for users and provides both consistency and an opportunity for individuality across each room.
The overall spatial design bridges the gap between current needs and future growth and privacy and collaboration, while also taking advantage of the building envelope’s expansive glass. Private offices are right-sized for ease of future growth and shuffling – ensuring a leveling of hierarchy among staff from the start. The bright, neutral finish palette and Mohawk Group’s textural carpet establish a timeless feel and provide the perfect backdrop for visual interest seen in artwork and accessories throughout.
While the main workspaces remain neutral, the social hub, directly adjacent to a private exterior patio, proves to be a real showstopper. Upon entering, one feels like they are up in the clouds among the glass pendants, gold birds, and starburst wall sconces. Supporting elements like gold decorative cabinet pulls, a two-tier island of mixed materials, and colorful upholstery subtly remind users that attention to detail matters and doesn’t have to be tedious – in fact, the details can be quite fun.
While Northwestern Mutual may know a thing or two about executing a remodel project with Schott Design, the new Fishers location once again shows how exceptional thinking and imagination can result in a profoundly extraordinary design. This project successfully combines texture drenching, design layering, thoughtful details, and whimsical additions – allowing Northwestern Mutual to prevail as a leader in their field for their employees and clients alike.
Design: Schott Design
Design Team: Mallory Stump, Jacquie Baker
Contractor: Burnside Builders
Furniture Vendor: Officeworks
Lighting Vendor: ESL Spectrum
Photography: The Addison Group
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