MITSUI RAIL CAPITAL
Meet Christine Peterson, Maria Lopez and Jia Carmody, the office décor team at Mitsui Rail Capital. Christine manages contract administration, Maria is a customer service whiz, and Jia heads up human resources.
You might be wondering: Where does office décor come in?
Mitsui Rail Capital found a new home in the Chicago Loop at the end of last year, a few months before their 20th anniversary. With a rich history of technology and innovation, they want the interiors of the new office to reflect their accomplishments. Headed by a décor team, they set out to find the right solutions for their company.
Researching design consultants, the Mitsui team found incredible companies just beyond their wall graphics budget. They needed a firm to design, consult, print and install under one roof. What was the next step?
To the search engines! A google search led them to the Cushing website. Sarah Brookhart, Project Manager was dispatched to get a pulse of the project needs. Matt Cushing crossed the tracks from River North into the Loop to take measurements.
“IT WASN'T JUST CUSHING FITTING IN OUR BUDGET FOR THE WALL GRAPHICS, OFFICE PROJECT AND INDIVIDUAL OFFICE PRIVACY FILM. THEY PROVIDED IDEAS, DESIGNS AND SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE THIS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT HAVE TURNED OUT THIS WELL WITHOUT THE INPUT OF THEIR TEAM.”
Cushing quickly realized one of the main pieces in the new office space, a large-scale map highlighting rail lines from all over the world, could be difficult to find. Cushing found a cartographer to help the office team bring the incredible idea to reality (No, this map does not fold up in your pocket!). Rounding out the mural is 3D dimensional lettering.
The Mitsui Rail logo appears next to an incredible display of train models, figures and images. Project Manager Sarah Brookhart consulted on interior layout, logo fabrication and how to best display the collection. It is easy to imagine a guest thinking of iconic railcars and rail travel all over the world.
“WHEN DISCUSSING OUR NEEDS AND IDEAS, CUSHING'S PROJECT MANAGER REALLY TOOK THE TIME TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THE BEST MATERIALS TO USE, AND WHAT WOULD BE REALISTIC FOR OUR OFFICE. THEY CLEARLY WANTED TO SEE THE PROJECT BE A SUCCESS!”
The main office doors open to an installation idea trending in Chicago throughout office environments. A vinyl cut lettering word wall displays mission, vision, statement and values. The messaging welcomes visitors.
Throughout the office are industrial illustration, imaged to brushed aluminum di-bond. They capture different scenes, from homebased Chicago scenes to shareholder Tokyo scenes, to rail switching yards. Each image is a conversation starter – of course one is located in the break room!
Cushing printed and installed wall graphics in separate conference rooms.
The team assisted with sourcing images, including Chicago and Tokyo, the names which appear on the outside of the rooms.
Privacy vinyl was used for individual office spaces.
“CUSHING PLAYED SUCH A LARGE ROLE IN HELPING US BRAND OUR OFFICE. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THEIR TEAM. THEY WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE OUR IDEAS A REALITY.”
