Peace pervades a Chicago trading firm by Perkins + Will.

On most trading floors around the world, the work environment seems to be an aspect that they all have in common. Traders hectically run around all day long, intensely keeping their eyes on the news tracker, making sure to be ready at any moment to make a deal to buy or sell their shares in companies around the world. This stressful image is something you won’t see at this Chicago financial services firm featured in the July issue of Interior Design Magazine. This 75,000 square-foot space, designed by architecture firm Perkins + Will, exudes an air of tranquility and peacefulness. The beautiful office is defined by its organic nature and leaves many astounded by how all the elements of the space fit together perfectly. Natural light floods into the space through the walls of windows that wrap around the sidewalls, and are further emphasized by the tapering structural columns, which appear as though they are descending from the maple-veneered cloud canopy ceiling.

Throughout the space one key element that allows the traders to connect their work with their office surroundings is through their desk. It is the single element where the technology and organic nature of the floor meet at a single point. Innovant’s FORm_office S120 desks were picked as the perfect medium to connect these two opposing elements together. The desks extend the organic nature of the office beyond just the solid structural walls, by seamlessly integrating the core elements of the business with the design aesthetic envisioned for the space. They combine both the white and maple surfaces used for the ceiling and walls to create a single platform, which wraps around the entire floor to connect the entire space. Managing Principal Tom Kasznia from Perkins + Will said, “Natural elements, for example how water flows, gave us ideas for shape clustered desking systems for all open office areas allowing for one aesthetic to create a visual flow. The fully system addresses the traders’ needs specifically.” The S120 desk greatly appealed to a space, which was designed around these structural columns, as its flexible nature allowed for it to be conformed to the layout of the design.

Looking through the magazine it is clear that this office stands apart from the typical high stress setting of most financial services offices. With light flooding in from all angles, and further complemented by the white and maple surfaces, the traders can immerse themselves in their work without having to be constantly reminded that they are stuck in an office. The peacefully tranquil office setting allows this stressful working environment to be calmed down to one that is constantly reminded of the natural elements of life beyond the working walls. Innovant’s desks allow for this seamless integration to happen between the organic natural elements and their highly technological business core. It’s an office that has the ability to inspire those within it, providing a clear definition for what the modern workplace should be.

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