Case studies

Located in the heart of Chicago, IL, Cerity Partners' corporate office is a dynamic, welcoming space designed to embody their unwavering commitment to excellence. Thoughtfully crafted to inspire both their employees and clients, this environment fosters collaboration, strengthens relationships, and elevates the overall client experience. Every detail, from the modern furnishings to the strategic layout, has been curated to promote productivity, innovation, and a sense of trust—making it more than just an office, but a true hub of forward-thinking financial expertise.

Perched in a prime corner of the office, the client lounge boasts breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline, creating a sophisticated yet inviting space for conversations among employees and clients. On the other side, the work café offers a cozy retreat where team members can recharge, connect, or enjoy a quiet coffee break away from their desks. Every detail of the space is thoughtfully curated to enhance both productivity and hospitality.

Location: Chicago, IL
Square footage: 19,618 sf
Design: Partners by Design
Project Management: Gardiner & Theobald
Photography: Ross Floyd Photography
Region: Chicago House

Butcher & Barrel brings a fresh dining experience to Huntingburg’s vibrant 4th Street, offering top-quality steaks, smoked meats, and an impressive selection of craft cocktails and whiskey. Founded by lifelong friends Jay Maxey, John Patton, and John Schroeder, the restaurant is a natural evolution of their shared passion for barbecue, which began with competing in Kansas City BBQ Society events.

Their dream of opening a restaurant took shape when the perfect location became available, aligning with Huntingburg’s vision for business growth and community engagement. Combined with local partnerships like OFS to provide furniture solutions, and details within inspired by the original banking building, Butcher & Barrel is now a destination where great food, local pride, and lasting friendships come together.

Location: Huntingburg, IN

The transformation of Arizona State University's Wilson Hall reflects the university's commitment to creating purposeful and innovative spaces that support its growing academic programs. The new five-story, 178,000-square-foot facility replaces the original 1956 residence hall, offering a blend of modern design and functionality. With 19 state-of-the-art classrooms, customizable balcony spaces, and shaded walkways, Wilson Hall is designed to meet the needs of today’s students and faculty while contributing to the vibrancy of the campus. The open "canyon" at the ground level creates an all outdoor flow for pedestrian traffic and fosters a sense of community in the heart of campus.

This ambitious project was made possible through the collaboration of multiple partners, including RSP Architects, Corporate Interior Systems, OFS and others. The design prioritizes sustainability and adaptability, ensuring that Wilson Hall remains a cornerstone of the ASU campus for decades to come. This collective effort highlights the power of partnerships in achieving ASU's vision of building spaces that inspire and support academic excellence.

Location: Tempe, AZ
Architect: RSP Architects
Construction: Holder Construction
Dealer: Corporate Interior Systems
Independent Rep Firm: Full Circle Arizona
Electrical: DP Electric
Field research: Langan
Photographer: Jason Rohner 
Awards: LEED Silver
Square footage: 178,000 sf

CBRE partnered with CBRE Design Collective to transform its Richardson, Texas office into a dynamic workspace promoting equity and collaboration. Designed to unite employees of all levels, the office treats space as a shared resource, celebrating diversity and brand identity. Located in the center of the office, the team added vibrant public spaces connected by a staircase that bridges departments and encourages interaction. These areas, strategically placed at the office core, foster connection and innovation by blending work, play, and collaboration.

The design provides varied seating, meeting options, healthy food and beverages, and seamless technology to support flexibility and comfort. By prioritizing inclusivity, the space reflects CBRE’s commitment to valuing diverse perspectives. The result is a workplace that inspires creativity, collaboration, and a sense of belonging for all employees.

Location: Richardson, TX
Square footage: 65,500 sf
Design: CBRE Design Collective
Contractor: Scott + Reid
Photography: Alayna MacPherson Photography

Wabash Valley Produce, located in the heart of Dubois County in Southern Indiana, sought to renovate and expand their office to demonstrate their commitment to employee wellness, customer experience, and elevate the overall brand experience for their company. Wabash Valley Produce is a local, family-owned company in the community.

The design of the space now feels more cohesive, with warm wood paneling and furniture details, biophilia and nature throughout, custom artwork, and plenty of natural light for the teams within. They chose a mix of private offices and collaborative space, both supporting team connection and providing the privacy necessary for the sensitive nature of their work. With the help of The Murray Group, Hafer Design, and others, they brought their vision to life to create a warm, inviting, and cohesive space that encompasses their future vision for the company. 
 

Location: Dubois, Indiana
Square footage: 8,000 sf
Rep Group: The Murray Group
Design: Rebecca Brady with Hafer Design
Architecture: Hafer Design
Photography: Glenn Tang with Black Pixel Studios
 

DLR Group is a 100% employee-owned global team of design experts. In Orlando, their team was rapidly expanding, so they needed a new space that could better support their growth. They began by implementing internal engagement sessions to discover the current highlights and most needed additions for their new office. 

Together, they hoped to reflect the core values of DLR Group in the office design: commitment, creativity, environmental stewardship, fun, integrity, ownership, sharing, and teamwork. To do this, they incorporated sustainability touchpoints like “the sandbar,” a platform in the center of the office crafted from reclaimed barn wood. They added pops of color throughout the office to highlight culture, included views to nature, and crafted work areas that offer a mix of private and collaborative spaces to support various work styles.

Today, the office acts as a central gathering place for the community, with ample space for hosting events. The bright natural light and open concept plan make each team member feel like they’re part of something bigger, and the nearby lake encourages team wellness. This new office is a space that unifies and reflects the excellence and purpose of DLR Group. 

Design: DLR Group 
Dealer: Common Sense Office Furniture 
Photography: Chad Baumer 

ID+A, Joseph & Joseph Architects, and OFS partnered to transform a department store into Gray Ice Higdon's new law office. The company sought to create a modern, updated space that would facilitate employee pride and represent the esteem of their national clientele and success. The design team prioritized employee investment, comfort, and functionality by allowing each team member to choose their own tackboard, incorporating rich tones to invoke a sense of warmth, and choosing flexible furniture solutions that could adapt to their needs. Today, the combination of private offices and collaborative space empowers Grey Ice Higdon's team and sets the tone for a bright future for their work. 

Location: Louisville, KY
Dealer: ID + A Inc.
Architecture: Joseph & Joseph Architects
Rep Group: The Murray Group
Photography: Benjamin Norton
Acoustics: Frasch Acoustics

Stantec's design for Twitter's offices in Boulder, Colorado is a thoughtful reflection of the area's railroad heritage. The design concept draws inspiration from the nearby railroad tracks, and this theme is intricately woven throughout the space. 

Each floor in the office has its own unique theme, balancing unique design styles and workstyles to support the employees within. The first floor, or “the Receiving Yard” is perfect for social interactions, collaboration, and meetings, creating a warm and inviting space for informal connection. The second and third floors, or “The Classification Yards” were designed for a variety of work styles, using color zoning to define different work areas and promote flexibility. Finally, the fourth floor, or “The Depot,” is a space more for well-being and relaxation, offering spaces for small touchdown conversations, inspiration, and focused productivity. 

The design overall encourages a flexible and dynamic approach to workplace culture. Stantec's design successfully captures the essence of the railroad history in Boulder while creating a dynamic and engaging workspace that reflects Twitter's distinctive approach to office design.

Location: Boulder, CO
Design: Stantec
Contractor: Rand
Photography: David Lauer

Located in the heart of Jasper, IN, the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center is home to Jasper Community Arts and the Jasper Public Library. The facility features over 63,000 square feet of cultural enrichment for the surrounding town. 

The Arts Wing of the Cultural Center houses Jasper Community Arts' staff and features multiple galleries, workshops, private studios, and a Black Box Theatre. A small gift shop highlights items by local artists and rotates quarterly. The Atrium features a large open space for events, connection, and community usage. 

The Jasper Public Library offers private study and meeting rooms, as well as, a maker's space. Overall, this space is a hub for the community to gather and connect. 

Location: Jasper, IN 

Farm Bureau Insurance prioritized innovation and investment in their people and the Lansing community by renovating their 171,000 square foot office space to better support the staff within. Their organization has occupied their current building since the 1970’s, and today the renovation has transformed the space to bring in ample natural light, fully-ergonomic workstations, and dynamic and inspiring design details. Today, the vibrant, intuitive, and thoughtfully designed space supports employees however they want to work—in the office every day, or every once and a while. 

“Our leadership engaged employees from the very beginning to determine the true needs and desires. This was much more than a building facelift — it was driven by the thoughts, ideas, and feedback of Farm Bureau employees.” - Domik Feldpausch, Facilities Manager

Location: Lansing, MI
Dealer: DBI 
Rep firm: Davis Corporate Solutions
Photography: Sojourners Co
Square footage: 171,000 sf

This government medical facility in Canton, Michigan was designed to be a centrally located facility that could serve both Veterans from Ann Arbor and Detroit hospitals to provide additional care in the community and the surrounding suburbs. In partnership with Davis Corporate Solutions, the team curated a space that empowers easy wayfinding, bright natural light, and wellness. 

Inside, the large open atrium is divided into four primary colors: green, red, yellow, and blue to help patients and caregivers easily connect and assist in wayfinding. The variety of lounge pieces and tables enable guest and patient restoration and connection, as well as provide multiple seating heights and styles to meet veterans’ needs.  A blend of high back chairs for privacy as well as multiple seating areas and tables to encourage camaraderie and various seating zones. Today, the community and staff flourish with the support of this beautiful facility close to the people who need it most. 

Location: Canton, MI
Rep firm: Davis Corporate Solutions
Interior Designer/Project Manager: Meaghan Short

DLR Group was tasked with transforming the 2nd floor of an existing building on the University of Miami's campus into a vibrant student village that would support various student organizations. To start, DLR Group established interactive engagement sessions with the students and faculty themselves, as well as the University of Miami's Office of Design and Construction to discover how to best represent each group and support their individual needs. 

The Whitten Center Student Village provides space for various cultural student organizations reflecting the vibrant community at the University of Miami. To best highlight each group, DLR Group turned to their in-house Experiential Graphics Team to create custom murals throughout the space. They also made sure to meet with each student org to choose a color palette and patterns that would best represent their unique cultural identities. The Village also houses the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, the LGBTQ+ Student Center, the Graduate Student Organization, and the newly implemented Veteran Resource Center. Several open student lounges encourage collaboration and engagement between these groups and all students who pass through the Whitten Center.

“I am proud of many different things on the project, but my favorite part was seeing the joy and excitement on the students’ faces when they came in for the photoshoot.” - Karli Kronmiller, DLR Group

Location: Coral Gables, FL
Architecture/Design: DLR Group
Construction: Messam Construction
Carpet: Interface Flooring
University: University of Miami
Photography: Chad Baumer 

CareOne wanted to expand their senior living offerings in East Brunswick to support senior health and wellness for the local community. They designed their care model to support the entire continuum of care under one roof, providing personalized treatment plans based on each resident’s unique physical and cognitive needs. 

Together with FX Collaborative, CareOne at East Brunswick Assisted Living created a beautiful, joyful environment with all the warmth and comforts of home. The intimate, boutique-style atmosphere focuses on one-on-one attention and care. This three-floor, state-of-the-art new construction offers luxurious amenities like a speakeasy, arts and crafts room, libraries, theaters, spa, salon, and more to support a vibrant community.

Location: East Brunswick, NJ
Design: FX Collaborative
Dealer: Dancker
Photography: Macchia Photography

The Capital Southwest team imagined a high-end, modern look that would make employees feel welcomed and empowered to do their best work. Capital Southwest is a Dallas-based business development company focused on supporting the acquisition and growth of middle-market businesses. They chose to move to Preston Center, an office complex featuring retail, dining, and hotel options as well as ample parking to support the employee and visitor experience. 

With Spencer + Company's and ENTOS Design's help, their new office combines private offices, meeting rooms, and collaborative spaces designed in warm natural tones. The use of wood, leather, and nature-inspired finishes beautifully complement the architecture, and the vast windows offer views of the surrounding area.

Square footage: 13,373 square feet
Location: Dallas, TX
Dealer: Spencer + Company
Design: ENTOS Design
Real Estate: HPI Real Estate Services & Investments
Photography: Shoot2Sell

This local Dallas business supports the US housing finance system, ensuring reliable and affordable mortgage funds across the country. To match demand and growth, they decided to move their office across northern DFW to better assist their growing staff. Today, the new office houses over 500 employees, focusing on technology to aid hybrid conferencing, a variety of workspaces to encompass human needs, and dynamic design details that reflect the brand identity and provide easy wayfinding. 

Wellness, engagement, and community were this company's top priority in welcoming their employees back to the office post-pandemic. Abundant natural light, biophilic elements, and a well-thought-out layout combine to foster a warm, dynamic environment that employees can be proud of. 

Location: Plano, TX
Architect / Design: HOK 
Graphics: ASI
Contractor: DPR Construction
Engineering: Telios Engineering
Dealer: Evenson Best