nushu

Nushu led the design and execution of the expansion for the Natural Resources Defense Council [NRDC] Midwest Office in Chicago, IL. The expansion was the first project to earn the Material Petal Certification under the Living Building Challenge v3.0.

The office expansion successfully took advantage of narrow and oddly-shaped spaces to maximize light, strike a balance of open office and collaborative space, and maintain continuity with SGA's original office design. Rigorous research and design of materials and systems helped the project achieve both LBC 3.0 and LEED Gold certifications.

The original office was designed by Studio Gang Architects, [http://studiogang.com/project/midwest-offices-natural-resources-defense-council ] who retained the Architect of Record status for the expansion.

Photography by Tom Harris.

More Links:

https://www.nrdc.org/resources/nrdc-midwest-sustainable-workplace-practices-chicago

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/eileen-quigley/nrdc-committed-transforming-building-industry-one-building-material-time

http://living-future.org/lbc/about

The Free Methodist Publishing House was built in 1908 and later became the home of the Museum of Holography. Nushu designed the complete renovation of the building to become the Publishing House Bed & Breakfast on the top 2 floors. The lovely new owners will rent 11 rooms, and use the entire space to showcase their art and vintage artifacts collection. The interior brings to fore the building's sometimes quirky original structure, and maximizes natural light, views, and an expansive floor plate. Open staircases and large skylights bring light deep into the interior.  

Featured in:

CondeNast 25 top hotels in Chicago in 2018; Dwell online publication, July 2017; as well as various publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Modern Luxury, and Michigan Ave Magazine, and in the Chicago Architecture Foundation Open House Chicago and Women in Architecture Tours.

Interior Design: Siren Betty Design

Structural Engineering: AP Engineering PC

Environmental Engineering: Pep/Interface Engineers

General Contractor: Vero Design + Build

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

The organization World Business Chicago partnered with the Chicago Design Museum to exhibit 'The Business of Design' at a global cities convention held in Hong Kong. Nushu was asked to design the exhibit space on the convention floor. The exhibit has to be dis/mountable in one day, accommodate 2D and 3D pieces, and incorporate the pre-set circulation paths of the convention floor.

Redmoon Theatre (Chicago) asked Nushu to participate in the set design for the backdrop of the finale of the Great Chicago Fire Festival 2015. The making of the 'The City of the Future' converged with testing metal fabricator Zahner's new technology platform for digital fabrication.