LAMAR JOHNSON COLLABORATIVE / CHICAGO, ILLINOIS / 2025 - 2026
corporate headquarters for an advanced food processing machinery and technology company, 28,000sf
corporate headquarters for an advanced food processing machinery and technology company, 28,000sf
As a global leader in integrated solutions for the food and beverage industry, JBT Marel required a new corporate headquarters that aimed to unify its brand, talent, and resources. Driven by a singular purpose, “United to transform the future of food,” the design of the space balances the company’s duality: the precision of geometric and industrial engineering machinery in contrast with the organic and soft elements of the natural products they elevate. Located in downtown Chicago, the new JBT Marel headquarters offers a variety of workplace solutions. From vibrant, energetic work spaces to precision engineered and efficient meeting rooms, the suite cultivates an inviting atmosphere tailored for global clients and local talent.
THE EXISTING CONDITIONS
Photos from my iPhone
Located on the 34th floor at 333 W Wacker, the tenant space has incredible 360 degree views of the Loop, lakefront, and Chicago River. One floor below the building's tenant amenity floor, the existing space had shorter ceiling heights than preferred and a bit of equipment scattered throughout the ceilings that we had to design around. Additionally, the curved geometry of the building posed space planning and alignment challenges that took a handful of iterations to come to the best solution.
Located on the 34th floor at 333 W Wacker, the tenant space has incredible 360 degree views of the Loop, lakefront, and Chicago River. One floor below the building's tenant amenity floor, the existing space had shorter ceiling heights than preferred and a bit of equipment scattered throughout the ceilings that we had to design around. Additionally, the curved geometry of the building posed space planning and alignment challenges that took a handful of iterations to come to the best solution.
THE CONCEPT
Brand Guidelines
JBT Marel’s identity is built on a foundation of dynamic brand guidelines, including strategic pillars and a sophisticated color palette. Throughout the design process, we consistently came back to these ideas to ensure decisions we made as a team were a direct reflection of the company’s core values.
JBT Marel’s identity is built on a foundation of dynamic brand guidelines, including strategic pillars and a sophisticated color palette. Throughout the design process, we consistently came back to these ideas to ensure decisions we made as a team were a direct reflection of the company’s core values.
Architectural Guidelines
After some quick visioning sessions, we focused on the tension between “soft” and “rigid.” The “soft” influence draws from the organic and raw nature of food, utilizing warm colors and tangible textures to create a welcoming and familiar environment, similar to a kitchen. On the other hand, the “rigid” influence celebrates the machinery and software itself, using cool tones and repetitive, geometric forms to represent the high tech engineering and integration to transform the food and produce into resources for consumers.
After some quick visioning sessions, we focused on the tension between “soft” and “rigid.” The “soft” influence draws from the organic and raw nature of food, utilizing warm colors and tangible textures to create a welcoming and familiar environment, similar to a kitchen. On the other hand, the “rigid” influence celebrates the machinery and software itself, using cool tones and repetitive, geometric forms to represent the high tech engineering and integration to transform the food and produce into resources for consumers.
"Galvanized"
The design concept centers around the concept of galvanization. Inspired by the process of strengthening metal, we translated ideas of resilience, longevity, and durability into the built environment. We aimed to integrate these grounding ideas with the previous thoughts through materials, finishes, furniture, program layouts, lighting, and even plants. As a team, we really wanted to make sure the concept of the space was as immersive of JBT Marel’s brand as it could be.
The design concept centers around the concept of galvanization. Inspired by the process of strengthening metal, we translated ideas of resilience, longevity, and durability into the built environment. We aimed to integrate these grounding ideas with the previous thoughts through materials, finishes, furniture, program layouts, lighting, and even plants. As a team, we really wanted to make sure the concept of the space was as immersive of JBT Marel’s brand as it could be.
Materiality
The material palette is a reflection of JBT Marel’s visual identity and strategic pillars. The use of textural and geometric metals, cool stones, and deep navy veneer creates a sleek and slightly industrial atmosphere. The softer, energetic, burgundy and cranberry tones pull the brand colors into the space and warm up the atmosphere a little bit. We threw in a picture of the Bean to strengthen the overall concept and really emphasize this space as a natural extension of the city’s skyline.
The material palette is a reflection of JBT Marel’s visual identity and strategic pillars. The use of textural and geometric metals, cool stones, and deep navy veneer creates a sleek and slightly industrial atmosphere. The softer, energetic, burgundy and cranberry tones pull the brand colors into the space and warm up the atmosphere a little bit. We threw in a picture of the Bean to strengthen the overall concept and really emphasize this space as a natural extension of the city’s skyline.
THE SPACE PLAN
Space Plan
The existing curve and angled conditions were challenging to work with, but once we embraced this challenge in the plan, everything fell into place. The space is organized into four distinct zones: a hospitality focused reception and work cafe, private offices, collaboration rooms, and an open office. The “front of house” hospitality zone serves as an “arrival” for users of the space, offering a variety of work settings from the moment they enter. The boardroom utilizes a NanaWall system, providing flexibility to open up with the reception area for town halls or social gatherings. Views and daylight are prioritized for select private offices and a majority of the open office workstations, while dispersed focus rooms provide equitable access to quiet space throughout the floor plate.
The existing curve and angled conditions were challenging to work with, but once we embraced this challenge in the plan, everything fell into place. The space is organized into four distinct zones: a hospitality focused reception and work cafe, private offices, collaboration rooms, and an open office. The “front of house” hospitality zone serves as an “arrival” for users of the space, offering a variety of work settings from the moment they enter. The boardroom utilizes a NanaWall system, providing flexibility to open up with the reception area for town halls or social gatherings. Views and daylight are prioritized for select private offices and a majority of the open office workstations, while dispersed focus rooms provide equitable access to quiet space throughout the floor plate.
THE SPACES
Reception Lounge
Upon entering, the space opens up into a curated work lounge space. In collaboration with local furniture designer and fabricator, Icon Moden, we designed custom hot rolled steel shelving units to serve as branding displays for JBT Marel. These are intended to house branding elements from promotional imagery to historic displays. The geometry of these shelving units mimic the “rigid” aspect of the overall design concept and camouflage the soft and warm lounge furniture away from the high traffic circulation on the core.
Upon entering, the space opens up into a curated work lounge space. In collaboration with local furniture designer and fabricator, Icon Moden, we designed custom hot rolled steel shelving units to serve as branding displays for JBT Marel. These are intended to house branding elements from promotional imagery to historic displays. The geometry of these shelving units mimic the “rigid” aspect of the overall design concept and camouflage the soft and warm lounge furniture away from the high traffic circulation on the core.
Hospitality Bar
We worked closely with JBT Marel to create a large hospitality bar as the anchor of this front of house reception zone. They wanted this area to be luxurious and classy for local employees, visiting employees, and out of town clients. The blend of metal, steel, blue veneer and quartzite creates a sleek and polished experience. This area isn’t just a bar, it’s a physical representation of JBT Marel’s global brand values: resilient, sophisticated, and inviting.
We worked closely with JBT Marel to create a large hospitality bar as the anchor of this front of house reception zone. They wanted this area to be luxurious and classy for local employees, visiting employees, and out of town clients. The blend of metal, steel, blue veneer and quartzite creates a sleek and polished experience. This area isn’t just a bar, it’s a physical representation of JBT Marel’s global brand values: resilient, sophisticated, and inviting.
Board Room
Flexibility was key when designing the main boardroom. The NanaWall allows the space to expand into the reception for larger gatherings and town halls, while the fluted glass films keeps a sense of privacy. We worked closely with NanaWall, our GC, AV consultants, and lighting consultants throughout design and construction to make sure we had all the correct components to ensure the space can be used seamlessly.
Flexibility was key when designing the main boardroom. The NanaWall allows the space to expand into the reception for larger gatherings and town halls, while the fluted glass films keeps a sense of privacy. We worked closely with NanaWall, our GC, AV consultants, and lighting consultants throughout design and construction to make sure we had all the correct components to ensure the space can be used seamlessly.
Open Office Work Lounge
On the opposite side of the space in the open office, we designed a lounge area for the employees. Echoing the design of the front of house hospitality bar, this area maintains JBT Marels’ brand while prioritizing social connectivity.
On the opposite side of the space in the open office, we designed a lounge area for the employees. Echoing the design of the front of house hospitality bar, this area maintains JBT Marels’ brand while prioritizing social connectivity.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Construction Progress Photos :)