On the Boards
The owner of a warehouse / office building in Downers Grove, IL came to us seeking major improvements to both the function and appearance of the property. For the success of the project, it is essential to work in multiple scales; thinking large scale, reworking the entire site to provide for efficient circulation of semi trucks and adequate stormwater management, and thinking small scale, providing spaces of respite for employees to take a private call or enjoy a moment of pause in their day.
View of the original building in 2019.
The smaller front mass of the building was demolished around 2020. Leaving an undesirable infilled condition inconsistent with the existing brick facade.
We are proposing taking the existing 'scar' on the building, and extruding it into an extensive canopy structure. This canopy will provide space for employees to host meetings, enjoy a coffee break, eat lunch, take a call, or gather after hours. The canopy is punctured by two round cutouts, with enough space for trees to grow through them. The canopy is supported by a forest of columns, echoing the language of the two trees. Walls of steel bar grating partially enclose the plaza, adding a layer of privacy without restricting views or light.
Each of the two trees will live in large, round precast concrete planters which mirror the geometry of the cutouts and also serve as bench seating. The client wishes to provide spaces for employees which promote mental health and wellbeing, so we looked to Japanese zen gardens for inspiration in the layout and geometry of the plaza. The concrete planters act as heavy stones which people, tables and chairs can flow around.
In addition to the entrance canopy, the client asked us to addresses the complex office program where multiple tenants will be working in the same space. We created a system of millwork shelving which lends a soft separation between spaces, providing privacy without completely isolating groups. We are also strategically deploying sound absorbing material on the floor, walls, and hanging from the ceiling to mitigate a noisy existing condition.
