Lounge 1447, on the 14th floor of Chicago’s Merchandise Mart is a handy resource for designers and the people that work with them. Away from the bustle of the rest of the Mart and Chicago, it is a small, protected cove of calmness.
A receptionist makes sure that only people tied somehow to the design world enter the space. That makes being inside the 1447 seem like a special experience - a gatekeeper sends the message that the people who run the Mart value the people in the 1447. That feeling of “specialness” and “respect” boosts mood. Positive moods have been tied to enhanced problem solving and creativity, improved immune system function, and getting along better with others, as discussed in this previous Research Design Connections article.
Research has shown that having a comfortable level of control over the area where we are working elevates individual and team performance, as discussed in this prior Research Design Connections article. At the 1447, people can sit alone or with others at small café tables, increasing or decreasing the number of chairs in their cluster, as needed. Conference rooms and more lounge-y seating areas are also available – so the design of the space used can align with place-related needs.
The 1447 is filled with natural light and lighting levels are generally low enough to encourage people to speak relatively quietly – another plus for people in the 1447 who need to get something done, quickly.
A small kitchen, comfortable seats, and wi-fi make the 1447 an even more desirable space to visit for a few minutes or a day.
The 1447 is a place that works because its design recognizes and respects the tasks its users need to accomplish.