Reimagining HED’s Chicago Workplace
When HED set out to design a new home for its Chicago office, the company began with a simple but essential step: asking its people what they needed most from their workplace. The responses reflected the evolving nature of work: mobile technology, spaces for connection, and autonomy to choose how and where to work.
The design challenge was to create an office that supported both productivity and community, balancing professional efficiency with personal well-being.
The result is a workplace that goes beyond “right-sizing” square footage to achieve “right-spacing.” Instead of simply reducing area, the design strategically redistributes it across a diverse mix of environments. Huddle rooms, quiet focus areas, and user-adjustable workstations allow staff to select the setting that best supports their task. Larger collective spaces, including a flexible café and an agile boardroom, provide opportunities for group work and informal collaboration.
At the heart of the office, a 42-foot-long custom birch plywood island anchors the studio. Acting as a gathering point and a touchdown space for staff and visiting colleagues alike, it symbolizes the balance of work and community that defines the office.
Technology plays an equally important role in shaping the experience. Each space was designed with intuitive “plug and play” connectivity, enabling staff to move seamlessly between environments with their laptop, tablet, or phone. Acoustic quality was also prioritized, with high STC glass walls, acoustic ceiling panels, and sound masking systems incorporated throughout to minimize noise disruptions and create a comfortable backdrop for concentration and collaboration.
The office was further shaped through a highly participatory process. Staff engaged in design charrettes, surveys, and user group discussions, providing direct input on priorities and preferences. This feedback not only informed the initial design but also set the stage for ongoing evaluation. Post-occupancy surveys after six and twelve months will help assess how the space performs in practice, ensuring it continues to align with employee needs.
The selected building reinforces the design vision with on-site amenities and programming that extend the workplace experience beyond the office itself. Its central, walkable location in Chicago provides staff with access to restaurants, retail, and cultural attractions, further enhancing its appeal as a destination.
The new office has already been recognized as a model workplace, receiving a 2024 Chicago Best & Brightest Award as an Elite winner in Creative, Wellness, and Wellbeing Solutions. By reducing its footprint by 30 percent while increasing utilization and flexibility, HED created a space that embodies its values: thoughtful design, adaptability, and a people-first approach. The Chicago office reimagines what a workplace can be: an environment that empowers individuals, fosters collaboration, and reflects the dynamic culture of the company itself.
