When company growth left Milliman, an international actuarial firm, feeling cramped in its 50,000 square feet of leased office space in Brookfield, Wis., the company looked to Creative Business Interiors for help.
“Initially, Milliman thought it might have to move to a bigger space,” says Creative’s Carmen Eskra, senior interior designer and lead project designer on the Milliman project. “But, our space use analysis showed that more efficient use of the current space would accommodate Milliman’s present size and projected growth.”
At the time, Milliman’s employees worked in private offices or workstations spread across three floors of a four-story building. The oversized workstations poorly supported technology and meeting flexibility, and the tall utility walls that anchored them divided open office areas. Each floor functioned independently with its own computer server room, lunch room and formal meeting space, isolating departments as a result. The reception area was positioned on the fourth floor – a throw-back to Milliman’s original location within the building.
Milliman’s objectives were to maximize and increase the functionality of its current leased space, create an image that would attract and retain employees, encourage a culture shift from autonomy to community, and minimize noise in the company’s focused environment. Creative Business Interiors met the challenge with expert services including space use analysis, space planning, design, construction, furniture planning and sound masking.
Creative’s plan reorganized and consolidated much of Milliman’s space. The reception area was relocated to the first floor providing immediate accessibility from the building entrance and creating a striking first impression. The first floor also became home to the firm’s conference center and a 90-person company gathering space with a kitchen and ample space and technology for presentations.
On the third and fourth floors, the removal of large utility walls created a more flexible, open layout and re-designed workstations increased floor capacity. Updated workstations now foster collaboration and private offices feature new desktops that are more conducive to small meetings. New study rooms accommodate actuarial exam preparation. Elevator lobby areas serve as socializing hubs with soft lounge seating, coffee bars and renovated galley kitchens and help create a sense of community between departments that were previously isolated.
All floors underwent significant renovation receiving updated carpeting and wall-coverings. Natural stone, carpet tile and rich, classic colors lend a transitional feel to traditional crown molding and trim. Materials where repurposed when possible to increase the project’s green profile. Dark cherry millwork and molding, as well as butt glazed glass were reused, and formal conference tables were repurposed and paired with ergonomic chairs in the first floor meeting spaces.
The end result? “It’s a gorgeous office space that flows well,” says Karen Jensen, office manager at Milliman. “The new space has boosted morale and impacted recruitment. Many of our newest hires have commented on the positive, professional impression the space made on them. The Creative team really addressed our needs.”
