Community

In September, we partnered with Maharam for the third year in a row for the IIDA Chicago fundraiser, Stitch. Area designers, architects, and manufacturers gathered to showcase their fashion creations, all to benefit the Center on Halsted. With a gargantuan hat and exuberant layers of knit mesh trailing behind a short metallic dress, our concept was part Chloé, part Christian Lacroix, and one hundred percent fierce. Our “Glamorous Man-eater” made you wish you never met her at all! See more photos.

In November, The Environments Group and Haworth collaborated on a table setting for Elle Décor’s Dining by Design. This fundraiser benefited the Chicago Chapter of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) . Our setting centered around the concept of hope rising above the elusive cure. The deep red patterned exterior symbolizes the way in which science, individuality and spirituality converge; the bright, luminous white interior represents hope and the time when the AIDS epidemic has come to pass. See more photos.

During the holiday season, the firm participated in toy and food drives through the real estate and design communities. We also participated in We Care and The Wreath and Menorah competition. Herman Miller hosts We Care, a holiday craft event at the James Jordan Boys & Girls Club Center. This year our team took a photo of each child and incorporated it into a framed seasonal illustration which they could give to their families as holiday gifts. The Steelcase Wreath and Menorah competition benefited The Children’s Place, which supports families affected by AIDS or other life-changing health conditions. The Environments Group was awarded the Judges’ Choice Award for the design and execution of our “Green is Glam” pop-tab wreath, proving that sustainable can be beautiful. See more photos.

We were pleased to make our holiday donation on behalf of our clients to two local organizations that place children at the top of their lists. The Chase Park Advisory Council is a private, non-profit, organization established to raise funds to renovate one of Chicago's historic North side parks, and is funded by generous donations from local businesses, residents and city and state elected officials. The plans for the renovation of the Chase Park play lot include new play equipment, landscaping, recycled rubberized ground cover and a water feature. The Children’s Interstitial Lung Disease Foundation (chILD) provides, support, education and hope to families afflicted with a pediatric interstitial lung disease.