Villa Kolb, the main residence of Swiss architect Otto Kolb who taught in Chicago at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1960, inspires the design of the new Swiss Consulate in Chicago. The project involved a collaboration between the Swiss architectural firm HHF Architekten GmbH and the Chicago-based studio Kwong Von Glinow.
Just like in Villa Kolb, with its organic geometries and fluidity in architecture, allowing a succession of spaces that flow into each other, the Swiss Consulate in Chicago is organized around a "green heart" at the center of the space where the staff gathers and from which the entire consular program is visible and accessible.
Among the multidisciplinarity of the interior design projects by the architectural firm HHF Architekten GmbH, the Swiss Consulate in Chicago stands out for its design that revolves entirely around the Green Core. The offices, a conference room, and support areas overlook this element, creating a soft division within the Consulate between social areas and work areas.
Curved built-in benches and a kitchen corner mediate between the two programmatic areas. The curved elements that filter the light allow for a soft contrast between the organic geometry of the Green Core and the abstract furnishings of the work areas.
The frosted glass of the closed offices and the conference room further underline the connection between all areas of the Consulate and give greater depth and light to the space. The Consul General's office is characterized by designer furniture.
