United Airlines HQ
Circular design strategy that keeps the focus on sustainability and brand legacy.
Instead of relocating their headquarters when a refresh was required, United Airlines opted to stay and invest in the existing space. Not only did the company desire a dynamically renewed office that would compel productivity, they also sought to reuse as many materials as possible during the process. This approach not only saved them money, but also greatly reduced the embodied carbon of the project. Continua Interiors helped achieve these goals through design support, project management, and installation, resulting in a headquarters that truly lives up to United Airlines’ sustainability goals, earning a 2025 Metropolis Magazine Sustainability Award for Best Embodied Carbon Reduction.
This expansive project spanned 13 floors and called for a high level of resourcefulness. Our team collaborated with IA Interior Architects and ID8 to devise a circular design strategy, in which materials never become waste and pollution is greatly reduced or eliminated. This involved massive reuse initiatives, including repurposing over 10,000 lineal feet of interior workstation partitions and 380,000 square feet of Armstrong Ultima and Suprafine ceiling grid. Ultimately, our teams created over 2,000 workstations from reclaimed materials.
During the process, 194 tons of furniture were diverted from landfills and over 200 tons of metal, such as tower storage units, were recycled. These actions and more resulted in immense reduction of embodied carbon – sometimes up to 78%, as was the case with the 103 tons of carpet sent through Shaw’s take-back program. As a whole, the renovation process demonstrated a genuine commitment to sustainable design from the world’s largest airline.
While highly effective in lowering embodied carbon for the new United Airlines space, this renovation did more than heighten the headquarters’ sustainability. The new space is streamlined, with elevated functionality and a light, airy atmosphere. The design teams’ hybrid approach not only reduced furniture costs, but also introduced personality to the space. Furniture pieces from MillerKnoll, Geiger, BRC and Humanscale bring both ergonomic practicality and modern flare to this thoroughly refreshed office.
Services Provided: Furniture, Reuse
A+D Firm: IA Interior Architects
Year Completed: 2025
Location: Chicago, IL
Photographer: Garrett Rowland