This factory on Chicago's Goose Island is such a superbly executed version of a banal building type that it takes a place of honor with its more glamorous peers. "Everything is done exquisitely, right down to the organization of the factory floor and the way the loading docks fit in," was the consensus of the jury. A spectacular staircase is the highlight of the lobby, which is a "finished" space large enough for the entire company to gather. The three-story portion of the building houses the corporate offices, an exercise room, training center, cafeteria, and the product display area that features a view of the manufacturing floor. The factory is designed on a 40-foot by 40-foot column grid to maximize open space while being structurally efficient. Glass-windowed roof monitors provide ample natural light to the factory area. "The building is everything we'd hoped it would be and much, much more," commented Rich Gillman, Republic's executive vice president. "It lifts your spirits just walking in the door."