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Architects: Perkins&Will: Perkins+Will
- Area: 23600 ft²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:Hedrich Blessing Photographers
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Manufacturers: Decoustics
Text description provided by the architects. When Prescient, a leading global risk management firm that provides security, intelligence and technology solutions to companies, individuals and governments, was considering relocating its headquarters from McLean, Va., it was looking for a city with a large commercial presence and an office design that reflected its commitment to collaboration, versatility and transparency. Prescient also wanted an office that reflects its new branding – the marriage of technology and human analysis to deliver simple, actionable intelligence that inform smart decisions.
Prescient selected Chicago for its HQ, and, in early meetings to discuss the new offices with the design team from the Chicago office of Perkins+Will, themes such as industrial, artistic, strong and natural rose to the top. The newly-opened 23,600 sq. ft. offices in the iconic Prudential 1 Tower offer a terrific example of how design supports culture and strategy. “We use elegant technology deployments coupled with human analysis to identify and manage threats for our clients,” says Prescient CEO David Walsh. “Our vision for the office was to be able to stand anywhere and take measure of the energy of an adaptable, team-oriented company in space that fosters collaboration and transparency.”
The design team was inspired by the integration of technology, big data and surveillance tactics that this client offered. This led to a design that conceptually featured “information moving throughout the space” via intertwining light fixtures used as wayfinding to lead you through. Those features are juxtaposed by organic forms in the carpet and furniture which represent topography and landscape.
Key materials in the space include steel, to represent strength and security; wood, to add a natural feel to the space. Blues and greens in the color palette represent land and sea, and add an “artistic” feel as requested by the CEO.
