Our client, Chicago’s First Lady, a multi-generational family company famous for its architectural river tours, relocated its corporate headquarters from the suburbs into the Chicago Loop. Their new home overlooks both the Chicago River and the company’s own fleet of boats. We have created a modern office space that prioritizes exterior views while creating an interior space that infuses key aspects of its brand and history as a family business into the architecture.
![Wacker 06](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-06.jpg?w=1440&h=981&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199954&s=5c4cb717d0b482047081e3c0a83f5366 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-06.jpg?w=2880&h=1963&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199954&s=34933046c87700128740980a81422154 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-06.jpg?w=992&h=676&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199954&s=019ea67455e5d7c01c63934bb36bf7fc 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-06.jpg?w=1984&h=1352&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199954&s=271eda434d6b15e586fc91fa64e90056 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-06.jpg?w=768&h=576&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199954&s=b9fa6904c2aaf65f936decebd7881683 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-06.jpg?w=1536&h=1152&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199954&s=30c1be819616a5f5fc47a863bffe0e50 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-06.jpg?w=576&h=392&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199954&s=69daab5a370d367bdc3fd9dcd51cd8a1 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-06.jpg?w=1152&h=785&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199954&s=0918b26feb2b0289bcb87fd470c9b008 1152w)
![Wacker dwg 02](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/detail-images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-dwg-02.jpg?w=500&h=500&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713293267&s=53495b3ba34876fe5aaceb4c0c7c0c4e 500w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/detail-images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-dwg-02.jpg?w=1000&h=1000&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713293267&s=17034f4ea409a6bcca28526068ba4727 1000w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/detail-images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-dwg-02.jpg?w=250&h=250&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713293267&s=2ce1c4e47cf195aa02d3ffe820698fe3 250w)
Wall graphic throughout the space showing scenes of their river tour.
![Wacker dwg 03](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/detail-images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-dwg-03.jpg?w=500&h=500&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713293557&s=4bd2b52ece22c70aef9150afd500e559 500w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/detail-images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-dwg-03.jpg?w=1000&h=1000&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713293557&s=43050b4860be388f07b76eefbb7ff146 1000w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/detail-images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-dwg-03.jpg?w=250&h=250&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713293557&s=29e3cbc248c7d6904b070d8277c125ec 250w)
Sawtooth offices reference waves on the river with the wall graphic reinforcing the views on the tour.
To infuse the space with the rich history of the Chicago's First Lady brand, a 250 foot long wall graphic winds through the space, showing scenes from the architectural river tour in the exact sequence in which they appear. This connects the spaces throughout the project while keeping it subtle yet intriguing, enhancing the office environment. Its muted blue colors serve as the backdrop to other carefully crafted elements such as custom mahogany planting beds, a custom-designed reception desk, and curved glass corners that soften the edges near the conference rooms. The subtle material palette references nautical construction materials in an abstracted way that lends itself to a modern experience. The sawtooth office fronts reference waves on the river and layered vegetation with green-accented office furniture draws comparison to the water’s edge.
![Wacker 19](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-19.jpg?w=1440&h=1731&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199958&s=b6fd8a45dbedf00280db794de8bb66bf 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-19.jpg?w=2880&h=3463&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199958&s=0a370ad312a68386c26b798531958df1 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-19.jpg?w=992&h=1192&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199958&s=a87369dc07eb369eab0fe9d6b6343fb6 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-19.jpg?w=1984&h=2385&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199958&s=049cb1e2446ac80f0887bf2361dd38e7 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-19.jpg?w=768&h=576&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199958&s=bb127267354dd70166e76384ef579da6 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-19.jpg?w=1536&h=1152&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199958&s=7d3d146b1c73dea4b959330740eaf8c5 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-19.jpg?w=576&h=692&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199958&s=957264fb4235d886c63557e4868f0298 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-19.jpg?w=1152&h=1385&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199958&s=3062f8dbd1bdd5dcbe0db1b6c986af57 1152w)
![Wacker 18](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-18.jpg?w=1440&h=2235&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199957&s=86b6dc312f35aab770c5789734838406 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-18.jpg?w=2880&h=4471&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199957&s=13c4dbaf33eaea709f20843988a02d28 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-18.jpg?w=992&h=1540&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199957&s=8ffaa5bc494d68636fe357aa356c7b4c 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-18.jpg?w=1984&h=3080&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199957&s=c5552db06a816638a85bdcfaf93814bd 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-18.jpg?w=768&h=576&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199957&s=aef7d8a32ccab3d09ae36610bf214e2b 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-18.jpg?w=1536&h=1152&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199957&s=dbe1506be4128c9404d7028946e5740a 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-18.jpg?w=576&h=894&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199957&s=7ae7b31503d4dd6bac32e8f3d58a347f 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-18.jpg?w=1152&h=1788&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199957&s=091d6ca416408db32a37c4719bbcecde 1152w)
Flexibility in work styles was important for this growing company. We provided open area workstations that allow ample space for expansion along with enclosures for private offices. In addition to these open areas, alternate working locations have been carefully crafted to facilitate collaboration, privacy, or simply a change in scenery. We have integrated an informal meeting nook for meetings that do not require the use of one of the two conference rooms. The cafe kitchen island as well as a family style table are used for collaborating during and outside of the lunch hour. The primary conference room features a folding glass partition that allows the space to merge seamlessly with the entrance in order to facilitate seasonal workers for trainings or company parties.
![Wacker construction 03](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-construction-03_2024-04-18-192729_fbwb.jpg?w=1440&h=1080&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713468450&s=487a304ef53fd14c83b0d80dc55f70a3 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-construction-03_2024-04-18-192729_fbwb.jpg?w=2880&h=2160&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713468450&s=776a93e8af5754d533e1834bd357e09d 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-construction-03_2024-04-18-192729_fbwb.jpg?w=992&h=744&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713468450&s=748c88a20560540e3c934e3cc3c72b0b 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-construction-03_2024-04-18-192729_fbwb.jpg?w=1984&h=1488&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713468450&s=7af2ba0fcf7808f1f58b6e9b421ae711 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-construction-03_2024-04-18-192729_fbwb.jpg?w=768&h=576&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713468450&s=174c31a2abf6c8f430b901c0d66818f8 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-construction-03_2024-04-18-192729_fbwb.jpg?w=1536&h=1152&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713468450&s=68e5e8e3331d62558ea9f02f096f4ee6 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-construction-03_2024-04-18-192729_fbwb.jpg?w=576&h=432&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713468450&s=e0149f5974a95b9dd0edd0eb9acadf6e 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-construction-03_2024-04-18-192729_fbwb.jpg?w=1152&h=864&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1713468450&s=5019f64680ede1c3bb95d6f1ccad38ec 1152w)
![Wacker 07](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-07_2024-04-12-154605_jozc.jpg?w=1440&h=1464&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712936765&s=18ac87faeb6ef2bdd63020e925ed584f 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-07_2024-04-12-154605_jozc.jpg?w=2880&h=2928&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712936765&s=4cf5575ce78424c04ecea080f3fda423 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-07_2024-04-12-154605_jozc.jpg?w=992&h=1008&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712936765&s=c74e2215b512e4b400dc75fa33ec4ad4 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-07_2024-04-12-154605_jozc.jpg?w=1984&h=2017&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712936765&s=849c3762db8c980b200e0ae8c73f2435 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-07_2024-04-12-154605_jozc.jpg?w=768&h=576&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712936765&s=ee87723849d4413b4930bfa5a0de882f 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-07_2024-04-12-154605_jozc.jpg?w=1536&h=1152&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712936765&s=f55376102f2eb5539db8460ddc9f454a 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-07_2024-04-12-154605_jozc.jpg?w=576&h=585&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712936765&s=be8cc2482d8563a56dfc074081e3291e 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-07_2024-04-12-154605_jozc.jpg?w=1152&h=1171&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712936765&s=790653ad111550a2b92f882fad95cef6 1152w)
![Wacker 04](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-04.jpg?w=1440&h=720&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199953&s=9595bfb25832393d5aded2651add0ca5 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-04.jpg?w=2880&h=1440&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199953&s=623e6a0c5b8e2de3a926baee59670c5a 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-04.jpg?w=992&h=496&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199953&s=7a5d266780ae968867dd94f8f50fa645 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-04.jpg?w=1984&h=992&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199953&s=eedca2b57af0cedcb5da3a17bfe9610e 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-04.jpg?w=768&h=576&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199953&s=9667bd4e1b7a9466a48a337ee5a14672 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-04.jpg?w=1536&h=1152&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199953&s=7bb7f58511f35e9af4b50c07fbebf6c1 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-04.jpg?w=576&h=288&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199953&s=68fcab5cacaed3b7e0aea6e4b82c4bd5 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/staging/images/projects/first-lady-hq/wacker-04.jpg?w=1152&h=576&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1712199953&s=7255ecdcf19bc9b473a227f7798b242f 1152w)
The result is a contemporary work environment that is exciting without being overpowering. Through the use of materials, graphics, and view, Chicago’s First Lady has a space infused with their own identity that they will be able to expand into and enjoy.