Integrated architecture and design firm Lamar Johnson Collaborative completed the new North American headquarters for global food and beverage ingredient supplier ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) in downtown Chicago.
The 80,000-square-foot build-out spans the entire 10th floor of 24 E. Washington St., a recent adaptive reuse redevelopment of the upper levels of the landmark former Marshall Field and Company Building into creative office space.
The design of ofi’s headquarters goes above and beyond providing traditional offices and meeting spaces by incorporating highly specialized areas that foster collaboration among ofi team members and their customers. These include 13 dedicated labs and specialized kitchens that allow for co-creation and product development with customers to deliver high-quality, innovative food and beverage solutions. Careful design consideration went into seamlessly incorporating the specialized mechanical systems necessary to support commercial labs and kitchens into the design without compromising the building’s landmark protections.
LJC organized ofi’s headquarters around a central thoroughfare that runs from the hospitality-inspired reception area past a series of workspaces behind sliding glass doors, allowing for customer visibility into how the products are being prepared and presented. Flexible multipurpose meeting and dining spaces are flanked by a pair of expansive demonstration kitchens, letting ofi’s teams collaborate directly with customers on recipes and custom ingredient solutions. A sensory work room and separate sensory experience room allow tastings in a variety of situations. Ingredients such as cocoa, for example, can be placed under various controlled lighting, which has been shown to impact the perception of anticipated taste.
The LJC design team selected ofi’s office furniture, fixtures and equipment to offer subtle nods to the ingredients and agricultural work at the core of ofi — warm woods, rich chocolate browns and coffee-inspired tones — as well as hints of purple and orange inspired by the company’s logo. These colorful design elements reinforce brand identity while aiding in wayfinding.
Employee workspaces were designed to balance ofi’s current needs with flexibility for future growth. Rather than dedicating the perimeter of the floor plan to private offices, LJC’s solution allows natural light from the exterior and the building’s enclosed central atrium to reach common areas, collaborative workspaces and social zones.
The new headquarters brings ofi teams from previously fragmented locations into a unified space in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant downtown, home to numerous culinary and confectionary companies, including many of ofi’s customers. The new office not only enhances recruitment and retention but also allows ofi to engage with current and prospective customers in ways never possible before.
The team is targeting LEED Silver and WELL Gold certifications for ofi’s Chicago location. Because sustainable cultivation of ingredients and environmental stewardship are at the core of ofi’s operations, it was important that we communicate those concepts through design best practices, Fiesel said.
In designing the ofi North American headquarters, LJC was able to leverage its familiarity with the building after previously serving as the design architect for the adaptive reuse of 24 E. Washington. Previously used as back-of-house storage by retailer Marshall Field’s and later Macy’s, the upper floors of the building have undergone a remarkable transformation spearheaded by LJC and parent company Clayco for client Brookfield Properties. The extensive renovation includes a new street-level entry for tenants, a redesigned lobby with 14 high-speed elevators, and a rooftop amenity deck offering tenants sweeping views of the surrounding cityscape and Lake Michigan.
The build-out of ofi’s space was executed by Executive Construction, Inc.
