Previous: 18,340 SF

Office remodeling: 13,546 SF

At Oasis Financial, a Chicagoland company offering pre-settlement funding, most of the employees are working from home and working productively, says Lisa DeCook, Director of Human Resources. “There’s no commute, our employees have more flexibility and it’s definitely time saving,” she said, adding, “But we still wanted to ground ourselves with an office. In-office days provide training and an opportunity to connect, which is one of our core values. That in-person connection is very meaningful.”

With about 10-15 percent of the employees working in the office at any given time, Oasis Financial reduced their Chicago suburban office space by a third, bringing in JDJ Architects, which handled a previous office remodel, to design and modernize the smaller space. “I love continuity,” said DeCook. ”Jim Jordan knows the building well and is easy to work with. The team at JDJ Architects has really good ideas, considering functionality as well as aesthetics. They work quickly and are willing to adjust things as we go. They also respect our budget and have our best interests in mind.”

The break room, moved to a new area that provides ample natural light, features updated cabinetry, built-in microwaves, bench seating upholstered in textured steel gray fabric, light elm woodgrain square and high-top tables and new LVT flooring. “Ashley Chavez, our JDJ Architects designer, understood what we were going for: a look that’s timeless, but contemporary,” said DeCook. The renovated breakroom encourages people to take a breather when they are working in the office and has received positive feedback from various teams, she says.