When Big Shoulders Fund made the move into its new Chicago office, Wurkwel Ventures saw an opportunity to put its family of workplace companies to work for a cause bigger than business.
Through Wurkwel’s Creating a Better Tomorrow initiative, two of its operating companies teamed up to support the transition: Office Furniture Center–Chicago donated a full floor of office furniture to help outfit Big Shoulders Fund’s new space, while MAC Relocations managed the installation — coordinating the physical move and getting the team up and running quickly.
Big Shoulders Fund creates opportunities for students and strengthens school communities throughout Chicago, making it a natural partner for an initiative built around putting Wurkwel’s workplace expertise to work for organizations doing meaningful work in the community.
More Than a Donation
Beyond furnishing a new office, the project reflects something core to how Wurkwel approaches workplace transitions across all of its companies: rather than treating furniture as disposable, the goal is to find its highest and best use — extending the life of existing assets while creating real value for the people who need it.
“One of the most rewarding parts of building Wurkwel Ventures is seeing what can happen when our companies bring their capabilities together around something bigger than business,” said Mason Awtry, CEO of Wurkwel Ventures. “Creating a Better Tomorrow is about taking what we do every day and putting it to work for others. Big Shoulders Fund does incredibly meaningful work in our community, and we’re proud that our team could play a small part in supporting the people behind that mission.”
About Creating a Better Tomorrow
Creating a Better Tomorrow is a Wurkwel Ventures initiative that brings together the resources, expertise, and capabilities of its operating companies to support nonprofit and community organizations — through furniture donations, relocation and installation services, workplace expertise, and other forms of in-kind support. The initiative is built around promoting reuse, resourcefulness, and responsible workplace practices while creating meaningful community impact.
About Big Shoulders Fund
For nearly 40 years, Big Shoulders Fund has helped Chicago’s children in need achieve their dreams through access to quality, values-based education — investing more than $40 million annually in scholarship support, academic enrichment, school operational improvements, and leadership development for the next generation of school leaders.
Today’s workplace decisions shouldn’t just solve today’s challenges. They should prepare your organization for what’s next.
When organizations invest in office furniture, they’re often planning around their current headcount, current workstyles, and immediate budget. But the workplace is evolving faster than ever. Artificial intelligence, hybrid work, employee expectations, and changing business priorities are reshaping how organizations use their spaces almost every year.
The question isn’t whether your workplace will change.
It’s whether your workplace is designed to change with you.
At Rightsize Facility, we believe furnishing an office isn’t about buying furniture for the next lease renewal. It’s about creating adaptable environments that continue delivering value five, seven, or even ten years down the road.
A recent workplace trend report from Kimball International highlights five major shifts that are redefining office design. Together, they reinforce one important idea:
The most successful workplaces won’t be the most expensive. They’ll be the most adaptable.
Design for People First
For years, workplace wellness focused on perks like coffee bars, fitness rooms, and lounge areas.
Today, organizations are taking a much broader view.
Employee well-being now includes cognitive performance, emotional health, social connection, and physical comfort. The workplace itself plays a significant role in supporting all four.
That means designing spaces with:
Comfortable ergonomic seating
Areas for focused work and quiet reflection
Natural light and biophilic elements
Flexible collaborative environments
Furniture that accommodates different work styles
As AI takes over more routine tasks, human strengths like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking become even more valuable. Your workplace should help employees do their best work, not simply provide a place to sit.
Create Spaces Worth Coming Into
Hybrid work has changed why employees come to the office.
They’re no longer commuting simply to answer emails.
They’re coming to collaborate, brainstorm, mentor, build relationships, and solve problems together.
This growing emphasis on meaningful in-person interaction is what workplace researchers describe as Slow Connection, creating environments that encourage genuine human engagement instead of constant digital distraction.
Instead of maximizing every square foot for individual productivity, organizations should consider:
Hospitality-inspired gathering spaces
Café environments
Team collaboration zones
Outdoor work areas
Comfortable meeting spaces that encourage conversation
The office should provide experiences employees can’t easily recreate at home.
Flexibility Should Be Built Into the Furniture
Many organizations think flexible workplaces simply mean movable furniture.
True flexibility goes much deeper.
Business needs change.
Departments grow.
Teams reorganize.
Technology evolves.
Furniture investments should be able to evolve alongside them.
Instead of furnishing for one fixed floor plan, organizations should invest in adaptable systems that can be reconfigured without requiring a complete replacement.
Examples include:
Modular seating
Height-adjustable workstations
Mobile collaboration furniture
Reconfigurable conference spaces
Multi-purpose meeting areas
At Rightsize, we often encourage clients to think beyond today’s layout and ask:
“Will this workspace still support us five years from now?”
If the answer is no, it’s worth reconsidering the investment.
The Office Must Earn Every Visit
Work is becoming increasingly fluid.
Employees move between offices, homes, airports, client sites, and coworking spaces throughout the week. Traditional nine-to-five schedules continue to evolve, making the workplace one destination among many.
That means organizations can no longer assume employees will come to the office simply because it’s required. Instead, every visit should have purpose.
The most effective workplaces provide:
Better collaboration opportunities
Easier access to technology
Comfortable meeting environments
Spaces for innovation
Areas that support multiple work styles throughout the day
Furniture should support these changing workflows instead of limiting them.
Prepare for Human-AI Collaboration
Artificial intelligence is already changing how employees work.
The next evolution isn’t replacing people.
It’s helping people work differently.
Organizations will increasingly need workplaces that support both technology and human interaction.
That means planning for:
More video-enabled collaboration
Flexible meeting spaces
Integrated technology
Privacy for focused work
Areas that encourage strategic thinking and creative problem-solving
As workplace technology advances, furniture and space planning should remain flexible enough to support tools that may not even exist today.
Future-proofing isn’t about predicting every innovation.
It’s about designing spaces that can adapt when innovation arrives.
Furnishing for the Future Starts with Better Planning
The biggest mistake organizations make isn’t choosing the wrong chair or conference table.
It’s furnishing for today’s needs alone.
A workplace should support where your organization is headed, not just where it is today.
At Rightsize Facility, our workplace strategists help organizations create environments that balance flexibility, employee experience, operational efficiency, and long-term value. From space planning and furniture specification to installation and ongoing workplace evolution, we help clients invest with the future in mind.
Because the best workplace investments aren’t measured by how they look on day one.
They’re measured by how well they continue performing years later.
Ready to Build a Workplace That Evolves with Your Business?
Whether you’re relocating, renovating, expanding, or rethinking your current office, Rightsize Facility can help you create a workplace designed for what’s next.
Contact our team to start planning a workplace that will support your business today, and five years from now.
Your workplace should support where your business is today while preparing you for where it’s going tomorrow. As organizations continue to adapt to changing workforce expectations, evolving business goals, and new ways of working, the office has become more than just a place to work. It’s a tool for attracting talent, supporting collaboration, strengthening company culture, and improving productivity.
Whether you’re expanding, downsizing, renovating, or simply looking to enhance the employee experience, strategic space planning helps ensure your workplace is ready for what’s next.
Make the Most of the Space You Already Have
Many organizations assume they need more square footage when their needs change. In reality, the better solution is often making smarter use of the space they already have.
A thoughtful space planning process looks beyond floor plans. It examines how employees move throughout the office, where collaboration naturally happens, which spaces are underutilized, and where opportunities exist to improve efficiency.
The result is a workplace that better supports your people while maximizing the value of your real estate investment.
A Workplace Designed Around Your Business
Every organization works differently. That’s why workplace strategy should never be one-size-fits-all.
Whether your priorities include:
Supporting hybrid work
Creating more collaborative areas
Adding private spaces for focused work
Improving traffic flow
Accommodating future growth
Refreshing the look and feel of your office
Strategic planning ensures every square foot has a purpose and aligns with your business objectives.
Instead of reacting to change, your workplace becomes prepared to support it.
Supporting the Employee Experience
Today’s employees expect workplaces that are comfortable, flexible, and designed with their needs in mind.
Simple changes such as improving furniture layouts, creating a variety of work settings, increasing access to natural light, or incorporating collaborative spaces can have a significant impact on employee satisfaction and productivity.
A well-planned office encourages connection when people need it and provides spaces for focused work when they don’t.
The workplace becomes an environment people want to be in, not just somewhere they have to go.
Planning for What’s Next
Business needs rarely stay the same for long. Growth, new hires, evolving technology, acquisitions, and changing workplace strategies all impact how your office should function.
Strategic space planning creates flexibility so your workplace can adapt as your organization evolves. By considering both current and future needs, businesses can make informed decisions that reduce unnecessary costs and minimize future disruptions.
It’s not just about designing a better office today, it’s about creating one that’s ready for tomorrow.
Your Workplace Should Work for You
At Rightsize Facility, we help organizations create workplaces that evolve alongside their business. Our team evaluates how your space is being used, identifies opportunities for improvement, and develops workplace solutions that support collaboration, productivity, flexibility, and long-term success.
Whether you’re planning your next office move, refreshing an existing space, or preparing for future growth, strategic space planning helps ensure your workplace is ready for whatever comes next.
Ready to build a workplace that works for what’s next? Contact Rightsize Facility to learn how our workplace strategy and space planning experts can help you maximize your space and support your business goals.
The workplace conversation has changed dramatically over the last few years. Office transitions are no longer simply about moving into a new space or replacing outdated furniture. Today, companies are rethinking how their workplace functions, how employees experience the office, and how their space supports long-term business goals.
As organizations continue adapting to hybrid work models, changing team sizes, and evolving employee expectations, many are realizing their current workplace no longer aligns with the way their business operates. Companies are searching for environments that support collaboration, flexibility, wellness, and productivity while still delivering a professional experience for employees and clients alike.
Recent workplace insights show that businesses are prioritizing adaptable office environments that can evolve over time instead of requiring complete redesigns every few years. Flexible layouts, collaborative work settings, and multi-functional spaces are becoming essential components of the modern workplace.
At Rightsize Facility, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. More organizations are approaching office transitions strategically, viewing them as opportunities to improve employee experience, maximize efficiency, and create spaces that better reflect their culture and future growth.
Today’s office transition projects often involve much more than a physical move. Companies are refreshing existing spaces, consolidating offices, expanding into larger footprints, reconfiguring layouts to support hybrid work, and developing spec suites that attract future tenants. Many organizations are also focusing on sustainable workplace initiatives, incorporating eco-friendly decommissioning services and sustainably sourced furniture solutions into their projects.
The office itself is also being asked to work harder than ever before. Employees now expect workplaces to support a variety of needs throughout the day, from focused individual work to team collaboration and virtual meetings. As a result, organizations are investing in spaces that feel more intentional and experience-driven. Features like height-adjustable workstations, collaborative lounges, phone booths, wellness areas, and biophilic design elements are becoming increasingly common because they help create environments employees actually want to spend time in.
Planning early has also become one of the most important parts of a successful office transition. A workplace project involves far more coordination than many companies initially anticipate. Furniture procurement, space planning, technology integration, delivery timelines, installation schedules, relocation logistics, and decommissioning all play a role in keeping a project on track. Starting the conversation early helps organizations avoid delays, maximize budgets, and create a smoother experience for employees throughout the transition.
Sustainability is another major factor shaping workplace decisions in 2026. More companies are evaluating how their office transitions align with ESG initiatives and environmental goals. Eco-friendly decommissioning services, premium preowned furniture, and sustainable sourcing strategies are helping organizations reduce landfill waste while still creating polished, high-performing work environments. At Rightsize Facility, our Planet First initiative continues to help organizations approach workplace transitions with sustainability in mind through environmentally responsible solutions and long-term planning.
One of the biggest workplace trends emerging today is the need to design for uncertainty. Businesses want workplaces that can easily adapt as teams grow, schedules shift, and workplace expectations continue evolving. Flexible furniture solutions, modular layouts, and adaptable environments allow organizations to respond more quickly to change without starting from scratch every few years.
An office transition is more than just a project timeline. It’s an opportunity to create a workplace that supports your people, reflects your brand, and positions your organization for future success.
Whether your team is planning a relocation, office refresh, expansion, consolidation, or workplace reconfiguration, Rightsize Facility can help create a seamless transition from planning through installation and beyond.
MAY we schedule a call to discuss your office transition? Contact Us.
The modern workplace is evolving. Today’s best offices are no longer defined only by square footage, finishes, or furniture. They are being measured by how they make people feel, perform, and connect. That shift is one reason biophilic design has become one of the most influential workplace trends in recent years.
Biophilic design is the practice of integrating natural elements into the built environment to strengthen the human connection to nature. In office settings, that can mean anything from maximizing daylight and incorporating greenery to using natural materials, calming textures, and organic forms.
What was once seen as a design preference is now emerging as a business strategy.
Why Biophilic Design Matters More Than Ever
As companies continue navigating hybrid work, talent retention, and workplace utilization, offices need to offer something employees cannot get at home. The workplace must become a destination that supports collaboration, culture, focus, and wellbeing.
Industry sources continue to identify wellness-driven environments, flexible layouts, and biophilic elements as leading office design priorities for 2025 and beyond. Employers are increasingly investing in spaces that reduce stress, support productivity, and improve the employee experience.
In simple terms: people want spaces that feel better to work in.
Top Biophilic Design Trends for Workspaces
1. Nature Beyond the Plant Wall
Biophilic design has matured beyond adding a few plants in the lobby. Today’s most effective workplaces create a full sensory connection to nature through:
Living walls and integrated greenery
Natural wood, stone, and woven textures
Earth-toned palettes
Water-inspired materials and finishes
Organic shapes and curved forms
This creates environments that feel warm, calming, and human-centered.
2. Daylight as a Design Priority
Natural light is one of the most requested workplace amenities. Companies are rethinking layouts to allow daylight to travel deeper into the floorplate using:
Glass fronts and partitions
Lower workstation profiles
Open collaborative zones near windows
Light-reflective surfaces
A brighter workplace can help improve mood, alertness, and overall satisfaction.
3. Wellness Rooms and Quiet Retreat Spaces
Today’s employees need a variety of settings throughout the day. Forward-thinking offices are incorporating restorative zones such as:
Quiet focus rooms
Wellness or meditation rooms
Recharge lounges
Soft seating nooks surrounded by greenery
These spaces support mental clarity while giving employees more control over how they work.
4. Modular Spaces with Natural Influence
Flexibility remains critical in hybrid work environments. Leading organizations are combining modular layouts with biophilic principles through:
Moveable furniture in natural finishes
Planter dividers that create zones
Multi-use collaboration areas
Adaptable lounges with residential comfort
This allows teams to reconfigure space without losing warmth or personality.
5. Sustainability and Biophilia Working Together
Biophilic design and sustainability naturally complement each other. Many companies are pairing nature-inspired environments with responsible sourcing through:
Recycled and low-emission materials
Energy-efficient lighting
Sustainably certified furnishings
Reuse of existing furniture assets
Indoor air quality improvements
This approach supports both employee wellbeing and ESG goals.
Thought Leadership Perspective: Biophilic Design Is a Talent Strategy
The smartest companies are no longer asking, “How should our office look?”
They are asking, “How should our office perform?”
A high-performing workplace should help people think clearly, collaborate naturally, feel energized, and want to return. Biophilic design helps accomplish that because it responds to how humans naturally function best.
In a market where attracting and retaining talent remains competitive, workplace experience is becoming a differentiator. Offices that feel sterile or transactional may struggle. Offices that feel healthy, inspiring, and intentional create stronger engagement.
That is the real future of workplace design.
How to Start Without a Full Renovation
You do not need a complete remodel to introduce biophilic principles. Start with practical moves such as:
Add greenery throughout shared spaces
Introduce wood tones and natural textures
Improve access to daylight
Upgrade collaborative zones with softer furnishings
Create one quiet wellness retreat room
Use acoustic elements inspired by natural forms
Small changes often create immediate impact.
The Future of Workplace Design
Biophilic design is not a trend because it looks good. It is a trend because it works.
As the future of work continues to evolve, organizations that prioritize human-centered environments will have an advantage. The most successful workplaces of tomorrow will blend aesthetics, functionality, flexibility, and wellbeing into one experience.
And increasingly, that experience starts with nature.
Ready to Reimagine Your Workplace?
Rightsize Facility helps organizations plan, furnish, and service environments built for the future of work. Contact us to explore biophilic workspace solutions tailored to your goals.
Office moves are one of the largest drivers of waste in the workplace lifecycle. This checklist helps organizations execute transitions that are more sustainable, cost-efficient, and aligned with how workplaces evolve.
How to Use This Checklist
Use during planning, design, and execution. Align teams and track sustainability, cost, and performance impact.
1. Workplace Strategy & Audit
Conduct a full audit of existing furniture
Identify reuse opportunities
Align with business goals
Set sustainability targets
2. Furniture Strategy
Reuse existing furniture
Evaluate pre-owned and remanufactured
Specify sustainably sourced products
Avoid over-purchasing
3. Space Planning
Optimize layouts
Design for flexibility
Reduce material waste
4. Logistics & Installation
Consolidate deliveries
Reduce packaging waste
Optimize scheduling
5. Decommissioning & Asset Recovery
Inventory all assets
Resell, donate, recycle
Minimize landfill
6. Circular Economy Approach
Extend lifecycle of assets
Track diversion metrics
7. Employee & Brand Impact
Communicate sustainability efforts
Share impact metrics
8. Measurement & Reporting
Track waste diversion and cost savings
Use data for reporting
Next Steps
Conduct a Green Move Assessment and build a reuse-first strategy with Wurkwel. A Green Move Assessment evaluates your upcoming office transition to identify opportunities to reduce cost, minimize waste, and maximize reuse.
We assess your existing furniture, develop a reuse-first strategy, model cost savings, and build a decommissioning plan that targets 95%+ landfill diversion—turning your move into a more efficient, sustainable business decision.
Start Your Sustainable Office Move! Contact Us to Get Started.
At Rightsize Facility, we partner with organizations at every stage of growth, from emerging companies to globally recognized brands. What connects these projects is not just the work we deliver, but where it happens.
From landmark skyscrapers in Chicago to transformational developments in Detroit, our team supports clients inside some of the most recognizable buildings in the markets we serve.
As a nationwide, multi-market specialist, we are where you are. And that means delivering consistent, reliable results whether the project is local or part of a broader portfolio.
Why Iconic Buildings Matter
Iconic buildings are more than just office space. They represent brand identity, attract top talent, and set the tone for how companies show up in their market.
Working within these environments requires more than furniture. It requires coordination, speed, and an understanding of how to operate within high-profile, high-demand properties.
Our role is to make that process seamless.
Illinois: Chicago’s Most Recognizable Towers
1 North Wacker
A sleek, modern riverfront tower, 1 North Wacker is a strong example of boutique trophy assets in Chicago. The building features the first cable net glass wall in the United States, creating a striking and highly transparent lobby experience.
Rightsize Facility has supported tenants within the building including Magnolia Capital, Woodfield Fund Administration, and others, delivering workplace solutions aligned with each organization’s needs.
Our work focuses on creating functional, polished environments while maintaining consistency with the building’s high design and operational standards.
875 N Michigan
875 N Michigan is one of Chicago’s most iconic buildings, known not only for its presence on the skyline but also for unique features like the city’s highest indoor swimming pool on the 44th floor.
Rightsize Facility has completed more than 20 projects within the building, including over 140,000 square feet of decommissioning for IPG.
These projects highlight our ability to execute at scale within high-profile, high-traffic environments while maintaining efficiency and consistency.
300 North LaSalle
300 North LaSalle is known for its strong architectural identity and premier riverfront presence. In addition to its location, the building stands out for its ability to use water from the Chicago River for cooling, helping reduce energy use and operating costs.
Rightsize Facility has supported clients within the building including Consolidated Flooring, Quarles & Brady, and Vestian, providing both furnishing and decommissioning services.
Our ability to manage multiple project types within the same property highlights the flexibility and consistency of our service approach.
Oak Brook 22
Oak Brook 22 is a prominent suburban office destination located directly across from Oak Brook Center. The property features over 400,000 square feet of office space, along with first-floor retail and thoughtfully designed outdoor areas.
Its visibility, accessibility, and amenity-rich environment make it a strong draw for both regional and national tenants.
Rightsize Facility has supported multiple tenants within the building, including CD Peacock and Keay & Costello, delivering workplace solutions tailored to each organization’s needs.
Michigan: Anchors of Detroit and Southfield
One Campus Martius
One Campus Martius is one of the most important office towers in Detroit’s revitalization and a cornerstone of the city’s Class A office market.
Rightsize Facility supported this iconic location through furniture rental services for the NFL Draft, delivering solutions that met tight timelines and high visibility expectations.
Projects like this demonstrate our ability to scale quickly and support major events in landmark environments.
Southfield Town Center
The Southfield Town Center is a defining suburban business hub, made up of five interconnected golden glass towers developed over more than a decade.
Rightsize Facility has supported tenants within this complex, including A.N. Deringer of Michigan, providing workplace solutions tailored to their operational needs.
This property represents the scale and complexity of suburban office environments, where flexibility and coordination are key.
Built for Multi-Market Consistency
What ties all of these projects together is not just the buildings or the brands. It is the ability to deliver a consistent experience across every location.
Whether supporting a single office or a portfolio of spaces, Rightsize Facility provides a streamlined approach to planning, furnishing, and servicing workplace environments. Our team understands how to navigate building requirements, coordinate across stakeholders, and execute with speed and precision.
Let’s Work Where You Are
From downtown skyscrapers to suburban campuses, we help bring workplace environments to life inside the buildings that define each market.
Planning a new space, refresh, or portfolio rollout? Let’s connect
As spring approaches, many organizations begin thinking about how to make better use of their outdoor spaces. Patios, terraces, courtyards, and rooftop areas are no longer just aesthetic features, they are becoming valuable workplace amenities that support collaboration, wellbeing, and productivity.
Today’s companies are recognizing that outdoor environments can serve as an extension of the workplace. Thoughtfully planned outdoor areas introduce variety into the workday and create new opportunities for employees to meet, recharge, and collaborate outside the traditional office setting.
With the right furniture solutions, these spaces can quickly transform into highly functional environments that employees and visitors want to use.
Extend the Workplace Outdoors
Outdoor areas are increasingly being used as flexible work zones. From quick meetings to individual focus time, these spaces provide a refreshing alternative to indoor environments.
Adding outdoor furniture allows companies to create areas for:
Informal team meetings
Individual work sessions
Lunch breaks or casual collaboration
Client conversations in a relaxed setting
A change of scenery can also help stimulate creative thinking and refresh employees throughout the day, making outdoor environments an important part of the modern workplace.
Popular Outdoor Furniture Solutions
Successful outdoor environments combine comfort, durability, and flexibility. Commercial-grade outdoor furniture is designed to withstand weather conditions while maintaining a polished, professional look.
Some of the most popular furniture solutions for commercial outdoor spaces include:
Lounge seating collections for relaxed collaboration
Café tables and chairs for informal meetings or breaks
Benches and shared seating to encourage connection
Modular seating that can easily adapt to group sizes
Outdoor dining sets for hospitality-style amenity spaces
These furnishings help transform patios and rooftops into spaces that support both productivity and relaxation.
Support Employee Wellbeing
Access to fresh air, natural light, and outdoor environments has become an important factor in workplace wellness. Research shows that incorporating nature and outdoor access into the workplace can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function.
Outdoor amenities give employees a place to recharge during the day, helping create a more balanced and engaging workplace experience.
Make Outdoor Spaces a Competitive Amenity
As companies continue to compete for talent and create environments employees want to return to, outdoor amenities are becoming a key differentiator. Rooftop terraces, landscaped courtyards, and outdoor collaboration areas are increasingly seen as essential workplace features rather than optional extras.
The right furniture plays a major role in making these spaces successful. Durable materials, flexible seating options, and thoughtfully selected pieces ensure outdoor environments remain functional throughout the seasons.
Bringing Outdoor Spaces to Life
At Rightsize Facility, we help organizations furnish outdoor environments that support collaboration, comfort, and functionality. As an independent dealer representing premium manufacturers, we provide customized furniture solutions that align with your aesthetic goals, operational needs, and budget.
Whether you’re furnishing a small patio, rooftop terrace, courtyard, or outdoor collaboration zone, our team can help bring your outdoor space to life.
Explore Outdoor Furniture Solutions
Spring is the perfect time to refresh your outdoor amenities and create spaces people enjoy using.
View our Outdoor Furniture Lookbook to explore some of our most popular product options for commercial outdoor environments.
