Founded in 1872, Kimberly Clark and its well-known paper products are an indispensable part of life for many Americans. In 2013, the company found a two-story space on the top floors of the Civic Opera Building, and called on our firm to implement the design. They returned to us in 2017 to renovate and expand. Elements of the company's history are woven into the design, connecting the current space to the headquarters in Northern Wisconsin and the original Chicago sales office in Willoughby Tower, a 1920s landmark. Eastlake incorporated enlarged vintage photos and line drawings into the design as murals and film, bringing images of the past into the present.

In the cafe, motifs from Willough by Tower were transformed into wall covering, and a card catalog was created for product display and file storage in one of the adjacent office areas. Historical elements extend to the decorative metal ceilings, and the subtle art deco motif on the stairway railing. Additionally, we shifted the location of a stair and added more informal meeting areas. We also upgraded existing restrooms, adding humanizing touches consistent with the company’s culture. Velvet banquettes and rattan hideout chairs give each space an upscale elegance, and contrast with the rustic, reclaimed wood flooring throughout. The new spaces successfully harmonize with the original design, and provides more visibility of Kimberly Clark’s history within the context of a current workplace.