{"id":11775,"date":"2018-06-01T05:53:44","date_gmt":"2018-05-31T19:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/asia-en\/?p=11775"},"modified":"2023-02-09T16:41:39","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T05:41:39","slug":"design-qa-new-steelcase-chicago-worklife-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/asia-en\/research\/articles\/topics\/collaboration\/design-qa-new-steelcase-chicago-worklife-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Q+A: A New Steelcase Chicago WorkLife Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since the Steelcase Chicago WorkLife opened in 2008, people\u2019s needs and wants in their workplace have evolved. The new Chicago WorkLife experience reimagines the east wing of the third floor of Chicago\u2019s Merchandise Mart to leverage the power of Steelcase, Coalesse, Turnstone and our partners to reflect how people really want to work. The new showroom, which signals a new day in workplace design, was awarded Best Large Showroom and Best of Competition at NeoCon 2018. The accolades come as NeoCon<\/a>, the commercial design industry\u2019s annual showcase in Chicago, celebrates its 50th anniversary.<\/p>\n

Steelcase wanted to give customers a variety of experiences in one central location inside the historic Merchandise Mart. The new space needed to be relevant today and for years to come. The Steelcase Design Studio, led by James Ludwig and Cherie Johnson, worked with Joey Shimoda and Susan Chang, co-founders of Shimoda Design Group, to create a vessel to share the broad Steelcase portfolio, as well as serve as a work space for the company\u2019s Chicago employees. 360 spoke to Johnson and Shimoda about their vision for the bold redesign and the evolution of technology in the workplace.<\/p>\n

360:<\/strong> How did you begin to frame this project?<\/p>\n

Cherie Johnson:<\/strong> We approached the design by keeping a central question in mind: How can we help people be more productive while supporting their wellbeing at the same time? We want people to feel at home when they\u2019re at work. We believe the environment can help people get more done by themselves and with their teams. And, at the same time, we want people to be able to make real social connections. It all works together. We are bringing Steelcase, Coalesse, Turnstone and all our new partners together for the first time to create an ecosystem of spaces that help facilitate and sustain the vitality of work today.<\/p>\n

Joey Shimoda:<\/strong> The entire Steelcase Chicago WorkLife experience is broken into two areas; the WorkLife and the WorkCaf\u00e9. The previous showroom is the new WorkLife, located in Suite 300. We\u2019re using it to demonstrate a variety of Steelcase applications including architectural products and new seating and workspace solutions while celebrating advancements in technology to help individuals and teams improve performance. In the new WorkCaf\u00e9, located in Suite 301, you\u2019ll find a variety of settings that work together to give people choice and control over where they work. These inspiring, informal spaces showcase more solutions from Coalesse, Turnstone and the partners.<\/p>\n

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