The leading authority for the Architecture & Design community
February 16, 2021
Text: Tate Gunnerson
Charlie Greene Studio’s Redesign of Boston Consulting Group’s Office is a Valentine to the Windy City
Replacing the solid pivot doors with glass ones highlights the panoramic views of the Chicago Loop and Lake Michigan from the 46th-floor reception area of BCG’s Chicago location. Photography by Chris Barrett.
Tasked with reimagining Boston Consulting Group’s Chicago office, Charlie Greene Studio looked to the city for inspiration. Eliminating walls in the reception area, for example, emphasized the iconic urban vistas while the curvaceous oak desk looks as if its billowing—a nod to the ubiquitous lake breezes. The sunrise over Lake Michigan inspired the space’s teal, terra cotta and lavender palette.
“We referenced Chicago in a way that’s a little more abstract and poetic,” says founder and creative director, Jason Hall, who collaborated with design director Jen McCord, architect, Marc Woodcock and designer Rachel Hillmann, on the project.
A long, low-slung leather sofa fosters a relaxed, easygoing feeling in the reception area of BCG’s Chicago office. “We wanted to make it feel warm and embracing,” says Hall. Photography by Chris Barrett.
The designers changed things up in the 48th-floor employee lounge, where a graphic black and white wallcovering sets the stage for stylish furnishings with rounded edges that encourage employees to linger and interact. “It feels like it’s been collected over time,” Hall says.
While it remains underutilized because of the pandemic, employees have overwhelmed Hall and his team with requests for photos of the space, which, as it turns out, make killer custom Zoom backgrounds—the ultimate 21st century compliment.
Paying homage to Chicago’s motto, urbs in horto, or city in a garden, verdant plants are displayed on a terra cotta powder-coated metal trellis by ALX Raw Inc, creating a private corridor to the women’s restroom. Photography by Chris Barrett. The colors of the sky at sunset inspired the newly created River Lounge, which features teal carpet tiles by Shaw Contract, a sofa by Haworth upholstered in Maharam mohair and a custom-designed lavender wall cabinet fabricated by Icon Modern. Photography by Chris Barrett. Accented with Calacatta Viola marble from Artistic Tile, the kitchen’s palette of teal, terra cotta and lavender was inspired by the sunrise, while lighting from Vibia references the phases of the moon. Photography by Chris Barrett. Named for a beloved former employee, Helen’s Lounge features a graphic wallcovering by Makelike Studio for Bradley, felt ceiling baffles from Turf Design, and an eclectic collection of furnishings designed to inspire creativity. Photography by Chris Barrett. A bright blue chair by Arflex pops against the graphic wall covering in the 48th-floor employee lounge. The sideboard is by Dooq. Photography by Chris Barrett. A graphic area rug by Shaw Contract inspired the color palette for the employee lounge—a lively space with a heady mix of furnishings that look as if they have been collected over time. A channeled leather sofa by Bla Station and a wingback armchair by Moroso offer a relaxing spot designed to foster creativity. Photography by Chris Barrett. Black single globe wall sconces by Entler illuminate the tile backsplash in the café, which is outfitted with custom millwork by Parenti & Raffaelli.Photography by Chris Barrett.
