Unite Here Health engaged Whitney to develop a workplace strategy and design solution aligned with the sale of their Aurora facility and relocation to Oak Brook, IL.

With a highly hybrid workforce and no mandate for daily in-office attendance, the organization sought to right-size their footprint while supporting purposeful in-person gatherings, privacy for focused work, and effective hybrid meetings.

Whitney led a workplace strategy effort that included executive visioning, department interviews, space utilization analysis, and a firmwide survey. The findings confirmed that staff primarily work remotely but rely on the office for meetings, training, and connection.

The resulting strategy recommended a reduction of more than 50 percent of UHH’s footprint by transitioning to shared, reservable workspaces and prioritizing conference rooms, training areas, focus rooms, and high-performance conferencing technology. This cost-effective approach enabled UHH to consolidate from 54,590 SF to 27,363 SF while maintaining functionality and adaptability.

The workplace design translates this strategy into a calm, welcoming environment inspired by a tranquil lake concept. Warm wood tones, layered textures, and a soft, nature-influenced palette create a sense of ease throughout the space. Transparent glass at the reception and large conference areas establishes an open arrival experience, while acoustical ceiling elements, integrated lighting, and material transitions support both collaboration and privacy.

Shared amenities including a coffee pantry, lounges, wellness room, and lockers reinforce the office as a destination rather than a daily requirement, delivering a flexible workplace aligned with UHH’s culture and future growth.