Sustaining design through reuse. Spencer Stuart Project OM Workspace and Gensler partner for a streamlined glass wall system relocation.   Project specs Location: Chicago Space: 98,000 sq. ft. Employees: 350 Material savings: $65,000 Architectural design firm: Signer Harris Architects

Situation

In 2001, the installation of the Teknion Altos^® wall system in global executive search firm Spencer Stuart’s Chicago corporate office was a first for OM Workspace^®. When it came time to relocate in spring 2010, Spencer Stuart looked to OM Workspace and Gensler to organize the move and reinstallation of the glass wall system in the corporate floors of the company’s new 98,000-square-foot Chicago location.

Challenge

Spencer Stuart planned its new North American corporate office with the goal of achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. As such, reuse of the Altos glass wall system from its existing space would play an important role in helping it gain valuable LEED credits.

Solution

Spencer Stuart’s original decision to purchase the Altos system was primarily based on acoustics and aesthetics. However, the company also was able to take advantage of the product’s flexibility by reconfiguring the glass walls several times to accommodate the growing company before its move.

“We saw the Altos purchase as an investment, and there was never a question we would reuse it,” says Beth Davis, senior vice president of real estate for Spencer Stuart. “We felt it was a good decision in 2001, and it proved to be an even better decision in 2010 as we prepared to design our new space.”

This forward-thinking approach benefited the company when it came to achieving Silver LEED certification. The reuse of existing materials is part of a sustainable approach to construction and renovation and, in the case of glass wall systems, so is providing access to natural light through the use of glass office fronts.

OM Workspace and Gensler took careful inventory of Altos products being reused in the new location, mapping out where each piece would go to ensure the glass walls would fit into the new space.

One significant concern was making up for extra ceiling height in the new space. OM&nbsc;Workspace and Gensler asked Skender Construction, the general contractor, to construct soffits and fascias above the existing frames of the demountable partitions, closing the gap between glass wall and ceiling.

In addition, floor-leveling issues affected office door installation. Filling gaps near the perimeter left heights slightly different from office to office, and doors designated for specific offices no longer fit. OM Workspace solved this dilemma by redirecting the doors to different offices. The OM Workspace representative field-verified the measurements of each opening to ensure a proper fit.

The end result was an open-plan workspace with private offices for the chief financial officer, direct reports and functions requiring confidentiality, such as the legal and human resources departments. For conference areas, Spencer Stuart purchased Teknion Optos^® glass wall panels. The seamless glass and refined design aesthetic is ideal for conference areas and integrates perfectly with the Altos system.

Nearly all the Altos panels were able to be reused, saving the company approximately $65,000 in new materials. Spencer Stuart also believes it may have enough credits to go beyond Silver and achieve Gold LEED certification.