<< Go Back to Commercial Portfolio
Color and Lighting Creates Drama
Three main colors now highlight the entrance to United Visual’s 17,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters located in the west Chicago suburb of Itasca, Illinois.
The client, whose business is the creation of audio visual conference rooms, desired an overall warmer feeling to the space that would create a new first impression for the business. The interior entrance to the space, although somewhat interesting due to the skylights, lacked drama. Additionally, the receptionist was plagued by echoing within the space.
The juxtaposition of two cool colors of ocean blue and grey-green with one dominant warm color of nutmeg creates interest and balance within the space while adding warmth and drama. Kaufman’s use of a darker base color on the walls added the desired level of impact, with feather dusted painting for texture and varied levels of sheen in the paints to create extra depth.
The addition of Neon accent lighting enhances the curved wall design and adds dramatic effect of the paint colors selected and draws attention to the name of the firm, the curves add emphasis to the corporate logo.
The use of soft, plush texture within the space was an important component in adding warmth. Area rugs were custom designed in a wave shape, relating the curving United Visual logo design to the interior design. The area rugs are constructed of the Wavelength pattern are an exact match to the blue and green colors used in faux painting the walls.
Kaufman designed custom wall-hung acoustic panels covered in Donghia fabric, with a wave pattern, and were strategically placed within the space to absorb the receptionist’s voice and eliminate the echo. Filling a large portion of the wall, the acoustic panels act also as art. The solution creates dramatic effect while reducing noise in the area 80% or more.
Kaufman carried the wave theme throughout the office space, selecting faux painted wainscot with a waving top edge for the corridors. The wave reappears as a border at the ceiling line in the open office work station area. The private offices were then individually treated with wallpaper borders and a variety of paint treatments to create additional warmth and interest.
