Argo Ref reshing Connors Park The Argo Tea greenhouse in Connors Park on the Near North Side of is a little architectural gem in a city of architectural wonder. What makes the tea-osk so clever is that it serves its setting while being an edifice of Argo Tea’s core values. Founded in 2003 by Arsen Avakian (CEO), Simon Simonian and Daniel Lindwasser, Argo Tea does more than serve , it provides people with a one-cup- at-a-time experience.

“Sustainability and quality are two of our core platforms, and that reaches beyond our menu to the use of sustainable design elements, landscaping, energy sources and service items.”

Dana Dimitri d irector of marketing Argo Tea

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project: Argo Tea Greenhouse at Connors Park

location: Chicago, Illinois

partners: Argo Tea Chicago Park District

lead designer: Mark Cuellar, Argo Tea

fabricator: Part of that experience is the story of tea. community. We raise awareness of the health Creative Surfaces, Sioux Falls, S.D. Though it is second only to water in popularity benefits of tea and the cultural benefits of wilsonart products: worldwide, tea still has room to grow in the partnering with responsible suppliers. We Studio Teak High Pressure Laminate United States, where according to The Tea provide a space for people to come and work, Capers Solid Surface Association of the U.S.A, the infusion of leaves or study, or meet with friends in an environment and herbs was a $10.41 billion domestic where they can experience tea and relax.” market in 2013. Argo Tea’s dedication to The Connors Park greenhouse is a great rediscovering the diversity and tradition of example of that guiding principle. “What makes is so successfully compelling that the company it special is that it is a public/private partnership is widely recognized as driving a mainstream between the Chicago Park District and Argo tea-renaissance in the classically -centric Tea,” says Mark Cuellar, lead designer for Argo urban American setting. The ingredients are Tea, which currently has 29 stores in the United sourced directly from growers around the world States. “The design objective was to provide the then blended into unique signature drinks. amenity to the park, but not take it over with a Each location has a tea host to facilitate tasting big, solid chunky building,” says Cuellar. “That is and answer questions about caffeine, health why we came up with the greenhouse concept, benefits and the origins of the menu’s food and to keep the building as transparent as possible beverage offerings. In a way, Argo uses tea as and the park as green as possible.” The exterior a medium to connect people with the important glass structure and necessary mechanical units concepts that underlie the operating model. are complemented with trellis and vines, add- CommuniTea and CreativiTea ing 1,600 square feet of vegetation to the site. “Argo is welcoming, inviting and open to the Another interesting element is the incorporation communities we serve,” says Dana Dimitri, of an existing fountain into the interior as a water director of marketing for Argo Tea. “It is feature. Argo Tea’s greenhouse in Connors Park important to make a positive impact in the opened in May of 2013.

800.433.3222 “We decided to go with the HPL because we are in a greenhouse and we were concerned with the humidity level. Lifecycle is an important consideration.”

M ark Cuellar lead designer, Argo Tea

SustainabiliTea and QualiTea “Sustainability and quality are two of our core a philosophical level as well as a practical one. Creative Surfaces of Sioux Falls, S.D. is platforms, and that reaches beyond our menu Once the decision was made to go with Argo Tea’s longtime supplier for interior fixtures to the use of sustainable design elements, land- HPL for its durability, consistency and tendency and signage. Specializing in lean fabrication of scaping, energy sources and service items,” to not expand and contract with the variations unique casework, full-service metalwork and says Dimitri. “It is part of our commitment to of the building’s moisture level, the design the integration of LED technology into graphics, sustainable business practices. We firmly sup- team started looking at aesthetics. “When we Creative Surfaces naturally fits with the Argo port the conservation of natural resources, both decided to go with HPL, it opened our options Tea culture. in how we operate our business and how we to all those beautiful designs, including rare DiversiTea and ChariTea select our partners.” species,” says Cuellar. “Studio Teak has a Like all Argo Tea locations, the little greenhouse Argo Tea walks the sustainability talk from gorgeous graining to it that we really like. If you in Connors Park provides a cozy setting year the smallest disposable details (compostable just look at veneers you get to a point where round for people to meet and experience a sporks and knives, shopping bags made from you are trying to make them more interesting, broader world through tea. Amidst the aroma of recycled material) to significant installations and then you realize there are all these beautiful fresh baked goods, a tea-wall with 30 different (renewable wind energy, fixtures made with engineered products based on natural materi- loose leaf teas offers patrons the opportunity recycled content). The interior of the Connors als, but that have color and texture you can’t to explore the world under the guidance of the Park location features cabinetry, casework, dis- replicate with natural veneer.” The horizontal expert tea host. Baristas prepare artisan food play space, tea host station and POS millwork countertop in the front of the house is an and signature drinks in a setting that is both built with Wilsonart’s Studio Teak High Pressure engineered quartz. Wilsonart® Solid Surface in open space and open forum. Art exhibition and Laminate (HPL). “Actually, when we started the a classic Capers design was used for the back music is encouraged. Each quarter Argo Tea project we considered natural wood veneer for of the house counters. “There is a lot of great highlights a special seasonal and donates vertical surfaces of the casework,” says Cuellar. HPL in the market,” says Cuellar, “but Wilsonart 10% of the sales to a charity partner that is “We decided to go with the HPL because we has really beautiful woodgrain designs. Plus, we inline with the company’s core beliefs. are in a greenhouse and we were concerned can source our laminate and solid surface from “We are committed to being a sustainable with the humidity level. Lifecycle is an important the same company, and it is widely available business by working with the best local and consideration.” The specification of Wilsonart® to millworkers all over the country. So it makes global suppliers and artisans,” says Dimitri. Laminate, which is made in the United States for a very easy and efficient specification as we “By contributing back to our communities we and contains recycled content, makes sense on expand into new markets.” are able to support a healthy lifestyle and the conservation of natural resources. And that is what allows us to deliver consistent quality and a genuine Argo experience.”

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