Rail-inspired lighting guides flow, focus, and workplace performance in a stylish Chicago office.
At the dazzling headquarters of this Chicago railway tank leasing company, lighting plays a central role in translating industrial heritage into a vibrant, modern workplace. Working in partnership with Whitney Architects, our team developed a singular strategy to light the way, one that balances performance, flexibility, and visual identity across the 44,000+ sq. ft. floor plan.
With the goal of illuminating workspaces while alluding to the railways the company services, Via 1.5 pendants offer clean, linear forms reminiscent of train tracks, with precision optics well suited to task-focused desk environments. Their slim profile reinforces the industrial architectural language while ensuring consistent light distribution throughout the space. Additional Via fixtures extend across open office zones, creating a unified ambient layer that supports visual comfort and focus.
In hallways and high-traffic areas, Curvia 2-inches pendants introduce an additional sculptural element. Designed with straight runs that curve at corners to evoke winding rail lines, they also provide functional illumination to guide movement. In breakout rooms, Arq Acoustix globe fixtures made with sound-absorbing felt, help baffle noise while delivering focused light to tabletops.
Accent lighting further enriches the overall strategy, with Aera 4 Cylinder delivering targeted downlighting and Dot 1.5 fixtures providing focused emphasis on architectural details and reinforcing the company’s brand accents. Taken together, this elegantly designed system reflects a thoughtful collaboration that supports the company’s rail heritage while fostering a dynamic, human-centered workplace.
