McDonald's

Headquarters Heritage Exhibit | Chicago, IL

Centrally located between Speedee Labs and Hamburger University within McDonald’s Chicago headquarters, the new Heritage Exhibit emphasizes two key themes: learning and innovation. This adjacency strengthens the continuity between legacy and future-facing creativity, turning the second-floor corridor into an active storytelling environment.

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A dynamic series of curated displays showcases archived materials that document the company’s storied history, brand evolution, and commitment to innovation and training. The exhibit is designed for multiple levels of interaction, allowing the company archivist to rotate exhibits regularly and effortlessly.

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Along the wall, millwork incorporates an inset grid of matte-black glass squares, each anchored at the center by the sheen of an iconic arch. Within the grid, the series of tinted windows glows softly, inviting visitors to look inside. When a window is opened, the light brightens, revealing a key artifact from the archives, for example, a vintage sign or an original mixer.

This low-tech, high-touch experience is flanked by large-scale, motion-activated digital screens that show videos bringing the legacy to life.

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A display table with an illuminated glass top and accessible doors provides the ultimate flexibility for storytelling across the 20-foot-long vitrine.

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A display table with an illuminated glass top and accessible doors provides the ultimate flexibility for storytelling across the 20-foot-long vitrine.

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To extend the tactile experience, a series of internally illuminated drawers with glass tops invite users to explore and discover artifacts from deep within the McDonald’s archives.