The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest

150 N Michigan
17,100 square feet

The German American Chamber of Commerce’s (GACC) Midwest Chapter promotes German-American business relations and supports trade and investment between the two countries. GACC’s relocation to 150 North Michigan was an opportunity to create a more flexible space to support their local staff, and to welcome the many companies they host from abroad. 

Our design team developed a concept around building blocks, highlighting the architectural geometry of the building, and planning the layout using the form-follows-function Bauhaus principle. German landmarks guide visitors through the elevator lobby towards the big, bright reveal of a town hall area, complete with a library of cultural reading material and a coffee bar. Neutral finishes keep the focus on the 9’ foot tall slanted glass wall that fills the area with natural light and unobstructed views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. 

With adaptability in mind, the main conference room opens up and becomes an extension of the town hall space for events. Haribo and other German company logos can be snapped in and out of a custom divider wall to communicate GACC’s ongoing mission, while an archive of mulled wine mugs from Chicago’s Christkindlmarket celebrates their most loved event, and its history. 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

ARCHITECTURE
$115 psf construction cost
Custom rolled steel reception desk
Branded feature wall divider

FURNITURE
$15 psf furniture cost
Workstation dividers: Pair Crouton and Toast

PHOTOGRAPHY
Kendall McCaugherty, Hall + Merrick Photographers

2021