International design firm, Ware Malcomb, announced the completion of Wirtz Beverage Illinois’ project: a new 605,000-sf corporate headquarters located at 3333 South Laramie Avenue, Cicero, Ill.
The new state-of-the-art facility, also known as WBI Center, consolidates four Wirtz Beverage locations into one monumental hub for sales, distribution, and training programs. Ware Malcomb provided architectural design and interior design services to Wirtz Realty Group [the newly formed real estate arm of Wirtz Corporation] for this ambitious and innovative project that integrates offices, conference centers, training facilities with warehouse and distribution areas.
Several unique technological features were incorporated throughout the facility. For example, digital signage screens can be found embedded in hallway floors and lobby areas. The 500,000-sf warehouse contains one of the largest temperature-controlled wine storage components in the country. A leading factor that drove the entire design of the site, the building’s shell, and its utility systems is the high-tech Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) with high bay robotic picking.
The general contractor for the project was Ryan Companies US, Inc. +
Related Stories
BIM and Information Technology | Apr 24, 2017
Reconciling design energy models with real world results
Clark Nexsen’s Brian Turner explores the benefits and challenges of energy modeling and discusses how design firms can implement standards for the highest possible accuracy.
Higher Education | Apr 24, 2017
Small colleges face challenges — and opportunities
Moody’s Investor Service forecasts that closure rates for small institutions will triple in the coming years, and mergers will double.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 24, 2017
Treating the whole person: Designing modern mental health facilities
Mental health issues no longer carry the stigma that they once did. Awareness campaigns and new research have helped bring our understanding of the brain—and how to design for its heath—into the 21st century.
Architects | Apr 20, 2017
Design as a business strategy: Tapping data is easier than you think
We have been preaching “good design matters” for a long time, demonstrating the connection between the physical environment and employee satisfaction, individual and team performance, and an evolving organizational culture.
Architects | Apr 20, 2017
‘Gateways to Chinatown’ project seeks the creation of a new neighborhood landmark for NYC’s Chinatown
The winning team will have $900,000 to design and implement their proposal.
Architects | Apr 19, 2017
Tour Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry architecture with Google Earth
Google Earth’s new ‘Voyager’ feature allows people to take interactive guided tours.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 18, 2017
Three multifamily, three specialized housing projects among 14 recipients of the AIA’s 2017 Housing Awards
2017 marks the 17th year the AIA has rewarded projects and architects with the Housing Awards.
Projects | Apr 17, 2017
BD+C's 2017 Design Innovation Report
Façades that would make Dr. Seuss smile, living walls, and exterior wall space that doubles as gallery space are all represented in this year's BD+C Design Innovation Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 13, 2017
The rise of human performance facilities
A new medical facility in Chicago focuses on sustaining its customers’ human performance.
Laboratories | Apr 13, 2017
How to design transformative scientific spaces? Put people first
While most labs are designed to achieve that basic functionality, a transformational lab environment prioritizes a science organization’s most valuable assets: its people.