Access Control Specialist Chamberlain Group Gets Fancy New Digs
The move creates a global headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill., that consolidates 650+ associates from four Chicagoland facilities onto one 20-acre campus.
Chamberlain Group headquarters, Oak Brook, Ill. (clockwise from top: exterior, interconnecting stair, full-service cafe).
CHICAGO – Building designer SmithGroupJJR announces that The Duchossois Group (TDG) has sponsored a custom-built space for its primary operating company, access control products manufacturer the Chamberlain Group (CGI). The move creates a global headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill., that consolidates more than 650 associates from four Chicagoland facilities onto one 20-acre suburban campus, bringing the multidisciplinary Chamberlain team together for the first time in a dynamic new 223,000-square-foot space.
Chamberlain — a leader in access control, residential garage door openers, commercial door operators and perimeter access solutions, all connected through its MyQ technology — had the headquarters designed based on a vision to create a strategic, transformational platform that empowers, inspires and springboards its legacy far into to the future.
“Even though this is the Duchossois’ building, TDG was gracious enough to actively involve CGI employees in building the requirements for the new space. CGI’s goal was to have an environment designed to drive innovation and maximize collaboration, including a desire for openness and light, collaboration spaces, sustainability, wellness and a flexible work environment,” says CGI CEO JoAnna Sohovich.
The highly flexible facility is designed around the idea of organizing interdisciplinary project teams into “fusion cells” that come together for intense periodic intervals during product development. Interchangeable workplace modules were created that provide teams the agility needed to foster collaboration from concept through prototyping. This is further achieved in an advanced design lab; conference and training centers for customized employee and vendor education; and a product showroom and exhibit space.
“The success of CGI’s new corporate headquarters is reflective of an interdisciplinary team approach which engaged the client in the strategic design process. The design solution translates CGI’s goals to create a highly adaptable environment that can accommodate dramatic growth with minimal intervention, while simultaneously maintaining the appropriate workplace density to enhance effective collaboration,” says SmithGroupJJR’s Kay Wulf.
As the exterior shape and façade were carefully crafted to balance heating and cooling, the floor plate depth allows for an interaction with the site’s mature woodlands and exterior views. The low-height workplace partitions provide incredible access to natural light with over 75% of the facility relying on daylight for over half the year. A mixture of internal amenities such as a full-service café and fitness center along with external features such as shaded outdoor seating areas and walking paths are designed to encourage meaningful collaboration, provide moments of respite, and enhance recruitment.
Chamberlain Group’s brands include LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Merlin and Grifco.
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine
Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].
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