The Meridian Offices
Project
—
Commercial
Designed for a modern professional team, this office pairs refined materiality, flexible planning, and a calm contemporary palette to create a workplace that feels polished
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Category
Commercial
Year
2022
The Meridian Offices was conceived as a workspace that could move beyond the traditional image of a corporate interior. The client wanted an environment that felt professional and high-end, but also warmer, more human, and better suited to the way modern teams actually work. Rather than creating something overly formal or impersonal, the aim was to design an office that encouraged focus, collaboration, and a stronger sense of everyday ease.
Planning was central to the success of the project, particularly because the office had to support multiple working styles within one cohesive environment. Open work areas, private meeting rooms, collaborative zones, and quieter spaces for focused tasks all needed to coexist without making the floorplate feel fragmented. The layout was carefully structured to create flow and hierarchy while maintaining a sense of openness across the whole space.
Client-facing areas were approached with particular attention, as first impressions formed an important part of the brief. Reception, meeting rooms, and presentation spaces needed to feel welcoming and professional, with enough presence to reflect the company’s standards while still feeling approachable. Through careful styling, softer furnishings, and considered lighting.
Styling throughout The Meridian Offices was kept deliberate and restrained, allowing the design to feel complete without unnecessary distraction. Artwork, objects, and softer decorative elements were used sparingly to introduce personality and visual interest, while still preserving the clean and focused atmosphere of the space. This approach helped the office feel polished and memorable without losing its professionalism.
Attention was also given to lighting and acoustics, both of which have a major effect on how a workplace feels over time. Layered lighting helped prevent the office from feeling flat or overly harsh, while quieter finishes and thoughtful zoning improved the sense of calm across busier areas. These decisions helped create a more comfortable and balanced work environment overall.
The finished project is a workplace that feels modern, refined, and genuinely pleasant to spend time in. The Meridian Offices demonstrates how thoughtful commercial design can support both performance and wellbeing, creating an environment that works hard while still feeling calm, human, and considered. It is a space designed not only for productivity, but for a better everyday experience of work.
