Designed by Gensler
Columbia College Chicago is known for creativity, expression, and community. The interiors of its vibrant downtown campus were designed to reflect those values—providing a series of open, flexible environments that foster connection between students, faculty, and visitors.
Furniture played a central role in achieving this vision. The goal was to create warm, comfortable spaces that support both social interaction and moments of quiet reflection, with finishes and forms that felt expressive and human.
Columbia College needed furniture that could handle heavy, everyday use without feeling institutional or impersonal. The spaces had to remain open and adaptable—allowing for spontaneous interaction, casual group study, and solo downtime—while reflecting the college’s creative identity.
Durability was key, but so was comfort and visual impact. With multiple zones including lounge areas, circulation spaces, and communal dining, the furniture had to strike the right balance between form and function, playfulness and practicality.
A combination of Always Chairs, Always Lounge Chairs, and Polly Chairs and Barstools provided the right mix of seating types to suit Columbia’s multi-use environments. The Always range brought soft, sculptural comfort to lounges and landings—perfect for relaxed conversation or independent work. Its residential feel added a layer of warmth to the otherwise raw architecture.
Polly Chairs and Barstools added personality to café and dining spaces, with their durable shell and distinctive silhouette. Easy to clean and built for high-traffic areas, Polly offered a pop of colour and a practical solution for student life.
Together, these pieces created a layered and highly usable campus interior—one that supports creativity and collaboration while standing up to the pace of daily use.
