OfficeMax Interiors and Gensler partner for a streamlined glass wall system relocation

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1 SPENCER STUART PROJECT OfficeMax Interiors and Gensler partner for a streamlined glass wall system relocation By design, Altos wall systems are cost-effective to reconfigure or fully relocate. PROJECT SPECS: Location: Chicago, IL Space: 98,000 sq. ft. Employees: 350 Material savings: $65,000 Design firm: Gensler In 2001, the installation of the Teknion Altos wall system in global executive search firm Spencer Stuart s Chicago corporate office was a first for OfficeMax Workplace SM Interiors. More recently, when it came time to relocate, Spencer Stuart looked to OfficeMax Workplace SM Interiors and design firm Gensler to organize the move and reinstallation of the glass wall system in the corporate floors of the company s new 98,000-square-foot Chicago location. As Spencer Stuart sought to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED ) Silver certification for its new North American corporate office, the firm knew that reusing the Altos glass wall system from its existing space would play an important role in earning valuable LEED credits.

2 Spencer Stuart selected a frosted glass Altos wall system for the perfect combination of privacy, style and sound quality. Spencer Stuart s original decision to purchase the Altos system was primarily based on acoustics and aesthetics. We saw the Altos purchase as an investment, and there was never a question we would reuse it, says Beth Davis, senior vice president of real estate for Spencer Stuart. We felt it was a good decision in 2001, and it proved to be an even better decision as we prepared to design our new space. Subsequently, the company also was able to take advantage of the product s flexibility by reconfiguring the glass walls several times to accommodate the growth that eventually led to the company s move.

3 The company was able to take advantage of the Altos system s flexibility by reconfiguring the glass walls several times to accommodate the growth that eventually led to the company s move. This forward-thinking approach further benefited the company when it came to achieving LEED Silver certification. The reuse of existing materials is part of a sustainable approach to construction and renovation as is the access to natural light these glass office fronts provide. OfficeMax Workplace SM Interiors and Gensler took careful inventory of the Altos products being reused in the new location, mapping out where each piece would go to ensure the glass walls would fit smoothly into the new space.

4 Partnering for a smooth transition. Differing wall heights and floor levels between the old and new spaces posed unique challenges for the team. One significant concern was making up for extra ceiling height in the new space. But insights provided by OfficeMax Workplace SM Interiors and Gensler resolved the problem. The partners asked Skender Construction, the general contractor, to construct soffits and fascias above the existing frames of the demountable partitions, closing the gap between glass wall and ceiling. In addition, floor-leveling issues affected office door installation. Filling gaps near the perimeter left heights slightly different from office to office, and doors designated for specific offices no longer fit. OfficeMax Workplace SM Interiors solved this dilemma by redirecting the doors to different offices. The OfficeMax Workplace SM Interiors representative then field-verified the measurements of each opening to ensure a proper fit.

5 Sustaining design through reuse. By reusing building materials, Spencer Stuart saved $65,000, earned additional LEED credits and may have even earned a higher LEED certification. The end result was an open-plan workspace with private offices for the chief financial officer, direct reports and functions requiring confidentiality, such as the legal and human resources departments. For conference areas, Spencer Stuart purchased Teknion Optos glass wall panels. The seamless glass and refined design aesthetic has been ideal for conference areas and integrates perfectly with the Altos system. Ultimately, the company was able to reuse nearly all of its Altos panels and save approximately $65,000 in new materials, which not only enhanced the project s affordability, it earned additional LEED credits as well. Spencer Stuart now believes it may have enough credits to go beyond LEED Silver certification to Gold.

6 Making your workplace work. Our corporate office serves an administrative function, so it was Sound-absorbing important for us to be workstation frugal. We panels came in under offer budget a sense on of the privacy full project, in the in part firm s because client of our service ability center, to reuse while products low such partitions as the foster Altos walls. interaction by creating BETH DAVIS / SENIOR an open VICE PRESIDENT environment OF REAL ESTATE filled SPENCER with natural STUART light. Partner with OfficeMax Workplace SM Interiors to gain extensive expertise in existing trends, proven solutions and innovative products so your team can benefit from a working environment conducive to productivity, efficiency and success. To learn more, call , us at Info@OfficeMax.com or visit OfficeMaxInteriors.com. OFFICE S UPPLIES INTERIORS & FURNITURE PRINT & D OCUMENTS FACILITY R E S OURCES TECHNOLOGY Produced by OfficeMax Print & Document Services 2013 OMX, Inc. All Rights Reserved 1355SP_0813