Briar Hill Enterprises

Northbrook, Illinois, 
Grund & Riesterer Architects, Inc. 

Nearing the completion of his single-family residence, we were retained to design a 7500 square foot office for the client's computer sales and service company. He had purchased a larger office condominium in the Chicago north suburban area to more comfortably house and expand his present operation. Having recently completed a contemporary residence, there was a desire to continue this design aesthetic, but with budgetary constraints. The existing building included an angled storefront entry court so the common president / vice-president suite was located there to gain the maximum amount of natural light. Playing off this given angle theme, the adjacent sales and accounting offices were "connected" to the owner's suite by shaped reception and administrative areas. The angled theme was reinforced with inexpensive gypsum board soffiting, custom laminate work counters, directional ceiling tile and lighting and patterned carpet. The space was completed with a twelve-station information processing center, a computer tech workroom, a lunchroom and a storage/shipping area.