NELSON Worldwide adds an Innovation Center to Ferrara Candy Company’s Chicago Headquarters.
The future of Ferrara Candy Company’s Innovation Center is looking sweet! After designing their headquarters a few years ago, Ferrara Candy reenlisted NELSON Worldwide to create an all-in-one innovation center within their HQ at the historic Old Post Office. By repurposing a portion of the existing office space and developing the innovation center including a workbench capabilities for the R&D developers, a taste testing room, and a unique show kitchen, the design team transformed the headquarters into a space that brings the innovation and business teams together.
Within the Innovation Center, the team works on innovating new candy concepts for testing and eventual market release. The space houses multiple development benches where new products are developed. The design team integrated an open and industrial design into the lab spaces, creating a bright and clean atmosphere. To maintain a clear distinction, a separate controlled area has been established for the development work. Therefore, the developers can follow proper protocols such as hand washing and donning personal protective equipment before entering the development area.
Project Planning
The c-suite was involved in the planning of Ferrara Candy Company’s Innovation Center. They were involved in the vision session and group design charette, ensuring the project reflected the identity and culture of Ferrara Candy Company.
NELSON Worldwide created a stunning test kitchen that serves as a hub for the team’s culinary experimentation.
Within this space, they can prepare products, bake confections, and craft delectable creations. Outfitted with cameras and stage lighting, the kitchen facilitates live broadcasts of the cooking process to different parts of the office as well as remote locations, enabling viewers to witness candy creations in real time.
The design team faced significant mechanical complexities when incorporating a kitchen into a non-vented space. This spanned from meticulously selecting appropriate kitchen equipment to resolving the technical intricacies associated with ventilation. Furthermore, the building itself imposed stringent historic preservation criteria. The NELSON team engaged with the building’s historical team to strike a balance between creating a compliant OSHA-certified kitchen and preserving the building’s desired exposed elements to satisfy the needs of historic preservation.
Project Details
The most unique features of the space include:
- The Test Kitchen
- Lab Space
- Candy Testing Rooms
The kitchen’s design focuses on creating a warm and sophisticated ambiance with a residential feel. Elements like copper are thoughtfully incorporated into the hand washing zones, paying homage to the traditional copper panning technique integral to candy development. The use of hand-hammered copper introduces a distinctive texture and seamlessly connects the space with its historical roots.
The candy testing rooms are designed for focus groups who are invited to take part in blind taste tests. To eliminate any potential color bias, colored LED lighting is employed to obscure the candy’s true color. Participants are equipped with iPads to engage in surveys covering aspects like taste, texture, and other relevant factors. A dedicated conference room provides a space for participants to delve into discussions about their observations, preferences regarding candy selections, and the outcomes of their evaluations.
Products
Overall Project Results
When designing a laboratory area within an office setting, the NELSON Worldwide team navigated the process of securing two distinct permits: one for the Starch Room and another for the Show Kitchen Cooktop. Additionally, a proactive approach was taken by meticulously preparing documentation for an ACAR (Chicago – Alternative Code Approval Request), specifically focusing on ensuring the architectural materials could withstand stains from Red Dye 40. The preparation proved invaluable when, on the first day in the test lab, there was a spill. Thankfully, it was able to be cleaned up quickly, and there was no lasting damage.
In collaboration with NELSON Worldwide, the legacy of Ferrara’s distinguished brands, including NERDS, SweetTarts, Trolli, Laffy Taffy and more, continues to contribute to their story of innovation and success.
Contributors:
- Interior Design – NELSON Worldwide
- Branding Consultant – Spark
- General Contractor – Executive Construction Inc
- Project Management – JLL
- Engineering – McGuire Engineers (Innovation Center)
- Furniture Dealer – Henrickson
Design Team
Photography
Brandon Stengel, designed by NELSON Worldwide and Spark
