Brown Brothers Harriman

Overlooking the Chicago River, the Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.’s new office is both modern and timeless. Designed by bKL Interiors, the 5,000 SF space required a design that would accommodate a variety of needs for the business. The interiors team arranged open office space, meeting rooms, a breakroom and support space to flow within a functional floorplan.

Flexibility was a key component of the design; the reception area, boardroom and breakroom all flow into each other. Further, an 8’ wide pocket door between reception and the breakroom allows the spaces to be open or closed from one another depending on the function or event. A wood screen element in the breakroom lets natural light flow in yet creates a privacy screen from the boardroom. This new environment maximizes light and creates openness, while also offering dedicated space when required, allowing employees and office visitors to be both comfortable and productive.

BBH desired a sophisticated and inspired space to welcome staff and clients. As such, the bKL team selected modern and refined finishes paired with distinguished wood elements, which provides warmth within the office. Further, all materials and finishes were selected with employee and client comfort in mind. Sculptural lighting pendants, for example, have indirect LED lighting to reduce eye fatigue. The space is anchored by a classic color palette of blacks and whites with red and walnut wood accents.

When reflecting on the end result, a BBH employee notes: “bKL’s design aesthetic has rejuvenated our minds by creating a fresh, functional and inspirational work environment.”