6 minute read
Investing In a Vision
How Schuler Shook Transformed Optiver’s Office
By Randy Reid
Photography: © Kendall McCaugherty • Interior Designer: Gary Lee Partners
Located in Chicago’s iconic One Prudential Plaza, the Optiver interior fit-out project illustrates how thoughtful lighting design can transform a corporate space. This project, executed by Schuler Shook in collaboration with Gary Lee Partners, sought to reimagine the office environment for Optiver, a highspeed trading firm. Their goal was to create a functional and inviting space conducive to getting people back to the office and attracting top talent. The design features a 3000 K color temperature throughout with 2700K decorative accents.
Optiver, known for its rapid-speed trading and innovative software, needed an office that reflected its cutting-edge ethos. They decided to relocate to the eighth and ninth floors, with a new lease that allowed them to reconfigure the space entirely. The interior designer, Gary Lee Partners, and the lighting designer, Schuler Shook, worked closely to bring this vision to life.
Upon entering the elevator lobbies of both floors, visitors are greeted with a stunning visual effect created by luminous ceilings from Cooledge Lighting. “We wanted to create a space that felt modern and seamless, almost as if the ceiling wasn’t there at all,” said Travis Shupe of Schuler Shook. The Cooledge system employs 12x12 LED matrix panels mounted above the ceiling fabric to create an even backlight. The airtight design ensures no dust or insects can enter, maintaining a pristine look.
The Dado LiftLine was employed for the elevator entrance, where the elevators are flanked by six-inch aperture vertical strips that emit a soft, glowing light.
A GRAND ATRIUM
The connecting staircase and atrium between the eighth and ninth floors serve as a communal space for Optiver’s employees. The eighth floor houses amenities such as the cafe, coffee bar, and other facilities, while many traders and offices are on the ninth floor.
Cooledge ceilings have been installed above in the atrium space, similar to those in the elevator lobbies. These fixtures are fully suspended and self-contained, unlike the elevator lobby installations where the LED boards are mounted to a substrate. “These panels were designed to create an open, welcoming space for gatherings and town hall meetings,” noted Shupe.
Additional lighting layers include Lucifer downlights for task lighting and Elation theatrical spotlights for presentations, ensuring the space can adapt to various functions. Targetti luminaires are used as accent lighting for the stadium stairs in the atrium.
THE RECEPTION AREA’S UNIQUE FACETED WALL
The reception area is another highlight, featuring a glossy white faceted wall illuminated by indirect LED strips placed in each setback, creating a soft, ambient glow. “We wanted to ensure the lighting was not just functional but also enhanced the architectural elements,” Shupe explained. This careful integration of lighting with architecture underscores the meticulous attention to detail in the project.
HOSPITALITY-INSPIRED CAFE
The café on the eighth floor features custom lighting fixtures by Cerno, highlighting Gary Lee Partners' emphasis on hospitality. The design incorporated multiple layers of both functional and decorative lighting alongside abundant foliage to create an inviting atmosphere for employees.
The interior designers and the Schuler Shook team worked meticulously to select decorative fixtures that would contribute to a warm and welcoming environment. The café is divided into bays between the building’s columns, with each bay featuring unique lighting and sometimes a distinct ceiling approach, enhancing the overall aesthetic and functional diversity of the space.
The floating ceiling in the café, features a mirror on its underside. This design element creates a ceiling cloud that defines the space within the cafe, mimicking the floor's shape below. This unique detail forms distinct seating areas within the cafe. iGuzzini laser blade downlights are recessed into the mirrored ceiling to provide general illumination. These fixtures blend seamlessly into the mirrored surface, offering a visually quiet lighting solution that enhances the overall aesthetic.
Given Optiver’s 24/7 operational nature, it was essential to provide employees with a space where they could relax and recharge. “The goal was to make the space warm and inviting, a place where employees would want to spend time,” said Shupe. The café offers free meals and beverages, with different lighting approaches in each section to create distinct yet cohesive areas.
TRADING FLOORS AND COLLABORATIVE SPACES
One of the significant challenges in the trading floor area was the limited ceiling height. Gary Lee Partners wanted to integrate floating ceiling clouds to address acoustic properties and visually break up the space. These trading floors are extensive, with hundreds of desks in rows, so creating a more segmented feel was crucial.
Given the space’s restrictions, a very low-profile fixture was necessary. The design team wanted uplighting to lift and brighten the space with ambient illumination rather than just directional light. They selected a low-profile fixture from Lumium, which features an indirect, widespread optic to illuminate the ceiling clouds and a diffuse downlight to provide task lighting on work surfaces.
DESIGN AND COMMISSIONING
The design phase for the Optiver building took approximately 6 months to complete. “We did the punch list and the commissioning, ensuring all fixtures were properly integrated and details were meticulously addressed,” he explained. The team worked closely with contractors to guarantee that everything met their high standards and delivered a quality product to the client.
In addition to fixture integration, Schuler Shook also handled the lighting control, using technology from Lutron. The team collaborated with a Lutron technician to program light levels for various scenes. Given that the space operates 24/7, having distinct daytime and nighttime lighting scenes was crucial.
Shupe confirmed that the design was circadian-friendly, explaining, “Employee health and well-being were considerations throughout the design.” Although the client did not seek specific certifications like WELL or LEED, the focus was on human-centric lighting. The project didn't include color tuning, but the lighting levels do reduce at night to create a more comfortable environment. The aim was to balance the ambient light with the natural daylight coming in through the extensive exterior glazing.
COMPLETION AND RECOGNITION
The project was completed in September 2023 after 18 months of meticulous design and planning. It has already received a special citation from the NLB Tesla Awards and an Award of Merit at the IES annual conference.
“This was an exciting project for us,” said Shupe. “We’re thrilled with how it turned out, and it’s rewarding to see the positive impact it has on the people who use the space daily.” The careful consideration of both aesthetic and functional elements has resulted in an office that is not just a workplace but a vibrant, engaging environment.
