Legacy architecture firm reinvents its Chicago office in a landmark building, blending historic character with contemporary form.

HOK Studio Relocation
Legacy architecture firm reinvents its Chicago office in a landmark building


Location: Chicago, IL
Products: S Series
Lighting Designer: Polymath Design
Architect: HOK
Electrical Contractor: Kelso-Burnett
Photography Credit: Garrett Rowland Photography + HOK
This legacy architecture firm’s Chicago office relocation signifies transformative adaptation and reinvention. The side-core building unifies their now interdisciplinary practice, fostering collaboration and exploration. The design intrinsically reflects their ethos, seamlessly integrating model-making, meeting areas and fluid digital-analog workflows. Exposed brick walls and steel columns and a monolithic red travertine wall embody material authenticity, juxtaposing raw historic character with refined contemporary forms. Prioritizing employee experience, the layout offers panoramic city views, while diverse collaboration pockets and a state-of-the-art materials lab support a dynamic design process, shaping a space that is both a functional studio and a testament to their vision.
S Series
The S Series redefines what’s possible for a surface mount downlight. Packed with technical breakthroughs, the ultra-thin S Series matches the elegance of a high-end recessed downlight. Get the most out of the S Series by installing it into our advanced F4NC junction box. Together, it’s even easier to specify, install, and maintain, and includes fire, sound, airtight, and insulated contact ratings.
About Polymath
Polymath Design is a versatile design firm with core expertise in interior architecture and lighting design. This dual foundation allows the firm to apply its expertise across diverse environments, from hospitality and workplaces to museums and educational institutions. At the core of its philosophy is the interplay of light, shadow, and texture to create depth, contrast, and a powerful sensory experience. Polymath Design emphasizes close client collaboration and a tailored approach to deliver functional, design-forward, and cost-effective solutions for every project.
About HOK
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering, and planning firm with 1,700 employees across a network of 27 offices on three continents. The firm is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, having been carbon neutral since 2022. A key goal is to achieve net-zero emissions in its designed projects by 2030, a goal supported by its 2024 performance where the firm’s projects collectively surpassed the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 energy reduction targets
About Kelso-Burnett
As one of Illinois’s longest-standing and largest electrical contractors, Kelso-Burnett’s rich history has provided them with the groundwork for growth. With over a century of experience, Kelso-Burnett is a leader in our field with a focus on high quality customer relationships, technological advancement, and dependable deliverables
Learn more about HOK’s Chicago Studio Relocation