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2024 GFD 🏆 Awards

Gold Winner | Plote Construction | Rieke Interiors

This client is a family-owned construction company started in 1964 that offers many types of services.  The building was built in 1979 by the founders and only received minor updates over the many years in business.  As the third generation is getting ready to take the reins, they wanted to provide a fresh environment for their employees that held true to the original architecture and design era while bringing the company forward in efficiency, ergonomics and how they are presenting themselves to clientele.

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Gold 🏆 Winner
Global Future Design Awards 2024

Plote Construction
Commercial Interior (Built)

Firm
Rieke Interiors

Architect/Designer
Jamie Leonard

Design Team
Jamie Leonard, Zoe Sarbekian

Location
Hoffman Estates, IL

Country
China

Photographer/Copyright
©Nick Novelli Photography

Website
N/A

Instagram
N/A

Drawing upon the distinctive elements of the original architecture, the renovation sought to imbue the space with character and charm while also reflecting the identity of the company.  The grandmother of the now third generation that is working at the company, designed the original office.  It was important to us to honor her work and thought that was put into the original building.  We kept all the brick elements throughout that were part of the original custom design. This was not only a nod to the building’s original designer but a great saving on materials and waste.  We also provided nods to the past with different textures and fabrics. 

The company’s branding was brought in with the rich green.  Personal and important elements of the company’s past were used as details of the design to bring forward the rich history of the company.  We chose to showcase one of their most important projects as a custom graphic wallcovering in one of the breakrooms.  Not only did most of the employees currently there touch this very project, but it also symbolized the family’s journey from their humble beginnings to their now substantial contributions to the areas infrastructure.  We added fun elements like the neon sign in the coffee bar referencing the starting year of the company and collaboration/coffee bar spaces throughout so that the team could have breakaway moments from their long work hours.    

In looking at the floorplan we wanted to maximize space, enhance privacy and foster productivity.  We made sure that the departments that interacted throughout the day were in close proximity to create efficiency.  Each area had storage and desk needs customized to how their department works.  We incorporated sit to stand desks and monitor arms to increase ergonomics.  And in areas or departments that could not have private offices we used taller panels or decorative screens to give each employee their own sense of space.  In the main workstations, we created soft and multilayered lighting so everyone could control their setting.  We strived to create a setting that was rich in color, texture, health and history.