Flashback Friday: CB Richard Ellis, 1996

FBFThis week we’re heading back to 1996 and an office space that we designed for the Boston branch of commercial real estate firm CB Richard Ellis/Whittier Partners.The company has been a longstanding premier real estate firm in New England for decades.

While they have since moved office locations, this Flashback Friday gives us a look at what corporate real estate firms felt like in the mid-1990s.

cb whittier reception area 2A carved oculus and dramatic soffit lighting and sconces were designed to evoke powerful images of sun and sky, while marble pillars and frosted sand-blasted glass conference room walls were chosen to reflect the rocks and ocean of the prestigious harbor front location.

You can see that notions of office transparency through the use of glass were just being introduced into corporate design.

cb whittier loungeThe 16,000 SF office space worked within the envelope of the Federal Reserve Bank while taking advantage of the magnificent views to the ocean and Charles River, as well as of the beautiful Boston skyline.

cb whittier kitchenThe office’s work spaces and employee lounge areas demonstrate design flexibility and function that helped to create a comfortable, productive workplace amenity.

cb whittier elevator corridorWe chose to incorporate symbolic, circular forms and rich textures to radiate the stature and business success of one of New England’s premier real estate firms.

If you missed last week’s Flashback Friday, you can take a look at 1996 here.

 Thanks for flashing back with us, and stay tuned for next week’s FBF!

Written by Isobelle Hemmers
Edited by Burt Visnick, Senior Principal at Visnick & Caulfield, AIA, IIDA, NCARB
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